Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said on Saturday there is a leadership vacuum in the ANC which is allowing ANC Youth League president Julius Malema to rise to the top, SABC radio reported.

Addressing about 300 delegates at the Eastern Cape DA congress at Graaff-Reinet, Zille said while President Jacob Zuma remains silent on important issues facing the country, the way was being paved for Malema "who does not appreciate the values of the constitution".

There are about 20 motions on the congress agenda dealing mainly with the deterioration of service delivery in the province, the broadcaster said. - Sapa