South Africa's ruling African National Congress has decided to discipline its firebrand youth leader Julius Malema for bringing the party into disrepute. The charges relate to his recent comments that the ANC Youth League would work to effect regime change in neighbouring Botswana. Mr Malema was "sowing divisions" in the party, the ANC said. He is a controversial figure in South Africa, but his views on nationalising mines and farms give him mass appeal. "Comrade Julius Malema has been charged with various violations of the ANC constitution, including bringing the ANC into disrepute through his utterances and statements on Botswana and sowing divisions in the ranks of the African National Congress," the party said in a statement. The ANC says the matter is now in the hands of its disciplinary committee, which will determine the date, venue and time of a hearing. Earlier this week, Mr Malema apologised to the ANC for saying that Botswana's government was a puppet regime and a serious threat to Africa.