Police in South Africa have set off stun grenades and fired water canons to break up supporters of the controversial head of the ruling party's youth league.

Hundreds of people supporting Julius Malema gathered Tuesday outside the African National Congress headquarters in Johannesburg, where they threw stones and bottles at police. They were also seen burning ANC flags and pictures of President Jacob Zuma.

Malema is facing a party disciplinary hearing Tuesday, after saying in July that the youth league would form a team to help oust Botswana's government, and called Botswana a security threat to Africa. He also called the country a “puppet” of the United States.

Malema later apologized for making the statement.

He has also angered many businessmen and ANC members by calling for the nationalization of South Africa's mines and farms.