IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi has warned of "more character assassinations and mud- slinging" from the ANC Youth League before the end of Julius Malema's disciplinary hearing.

IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi has warned of "more character assassinations and mud- slinging" from the ANC Youth League before the end of Julius Malema's disciplinary hearing.

Malema's hearing was this week postponed to nextTuesday.

"The principle of discipline has shifted to the forefront of our minds lately, with Malema's long-overdue disciplinary hearing finally taking place," Buthelezi said.

"The fact that the youth league's leaders denied knowledge of the hearing, while at the same time attending it, offers another insult to our intelligence.

"Someone needs to stop the merry-go-round of spin in the youth league, for it has taken on a momentum of its own and is likely to start throwing people off."

Buthelezi said there was a need to separate the "wheat from the chaff in the political arena", but warned that "the problem was that the wrong people always ended up taking the heat."

"I suspect that before this notorious hearing has ended, we are likely to see more character assassinations," he said.

He said a few days ago the IFP had reason to discipline two of its own members who brought the party into disrepute.

"This is an essential, if unpleasant, duty of leadership, because discipline is the torch that keeps the wolves of discord and chaos at bay.

"The IFP doesn't balk at disciplining its members, but we place great emphasis on cultivating self-discipline first," he said.

Buthelezi said politics required people who were level- headed.

"Politics is one arena where a level head is essential to longevity of a career. I am sure many of us hope, that Mr Malema will be a flash in the pan," he said.