"We have written a letter to them, telling them that they should no longer come to our events because we do not recognise them as a media enterprise but a criminal enterprise," he told journalists on Friday.

At a press briefing on Thursday, he said journalists working for the Gupta-owned New Age newspaper and broadcaster ANN7 would not be welcome at EFF events and the party could not guarantee their safety.

The Gupta family had links with the Zumas and owned IT company Sahara Holdings and Oakbay Investments, which had mining interests.

The South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef), ANN7 and New Age editor-in-chief, Moegsien Williams, and the Forum of Journalists for Transformation criticised him.

Malema said Sanef deliberately misinterpreted his statement.

“We do not want the Gupta media at our events. Gupta journalists can come in their individual capacity. No one will be chased away. I love them, I don't know how love can be turned to hate. All I said was they shouldn't be caught in the crossfire between the Guptas and the EFF," he said.

-News24.com