Johannesburg ( CNN ) -- South Africa 's ruling African National Congress denied Tuesday the appeal of its youth leader , Julius Malema , expelling him . `` We have gotten the official word on the appeal , and they have expelled him , '' said Malema 's lawyer , Dali Mpofu . `` We will meet with the clients tomorrow to discuss a plan going forward . '' The ANC 's National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal confirmed the 31-year-old politician 's expulsion from the ANC Youth League . `` The NDCA confirms the NDC 's finding that the appellant did not accept his finding of guilt and was not capable of rehabilitation , '' the committee said . Malema was banned from participating in party activities this month after he gave a speech critical of President Jacob Zuma . Though he had been suspended from the party in November , he was allowed to attend party meetings during his appeal of the disciplinary committee 's ruling . The suspension followed a speech in which Malema suggested that Zuma was running the party in a dictatorial and intolerant way . `` It is under President Zuma that we have seen the youth of the ANC being traumatized , being expelled from their own home , '' Malema said , according to an ANC statement . `` It is under President Zuma we have seen a critical voice being suppressed . We have seen , under President Zuma , democracy being replaced with dictatorship . '' The disciplinary panel said the youth leader 's remarks represented `` a very serious violation '' of the party 's constitution . Malema 's suspension angered his supporters . He and the youth league helped propel Zuma to power in 2009 . But in recent years , Malema has become one of Zuma 's fiercest critics , accusing the administration of failing to improve the lives of the poor . Malema 's supporters considered the disciplinary action an attempt to silence the anti-Zuma voice within the ruling party . In December , the ANC is due to elect a new leader who is expected to lead the party into national elections in 2014 . Malema had been mentioned as a potential contender for the role . He was suspended for five years after the disciplinary hearing in November but was allowed to appeal . He faced a string of charges , including sowing party division by comparing Zuma to his predecessor , Thabo Mbeki , and urging that the government of neighboring Botsawana be toppled . In July , Malema criticized South Africa 's vote for a no-fly zone over Libya and accused the government of failing to prioritize the African agenda . `` In the past , we know President Mbeki used to represent that agenda very well , '' Malema was quoted as saying at the time . Malema has also been the subject of a criminal investigation by the national revenue service over allegations that he used his political position to influence the awarding of government tenders .
NEW : Julius Malema `` was not capable of rehabilitation , '' committee says . The sanction came after Malema made a speech critical of President Zuma . He was also suspended in November but allowed to attend party meetings pending appeal . The youth leader , who helped bring Zuma to power in 2009 , enjoys wide support .