Johannesburg - Feathers were flying between popular South African chicken restaurant chain, Nando's, and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) on the eve of the country's fourth democratic general elections Tuesday.

The Youth League of the ANC has vowed "militant action" against Nandos for satirizing its controversial leader, Julius Malema, in a television and radio advertisements.

Nando's, known for its spicy "peri-peri" chicken, has a long history of poking fun at politicians through its ads.

The baby-faced, shaven-headed Malema, 28, has been a favourite target of South African satirists for his boorish outbursts in defence of controversial ANC leader Jacob Zuma.

Last year, Malema vowed he would "kill for Zuma" if the Zulu politician was put on trial for alleged corruption in a state arms deal. The charges have since been dropped.

Malema drew further rebuke this year for claiming the woman who accused Zuma of rape in 2005 must have had a "nice time" because she she had "requested breakfast and taxi money." Zuma was found not guilty of rape.

In the Nando's ad, a puppet of Malema is pressed by a news presenter about his demands for "change" within the ANC.

Malema replies: "We will get the change we need from Nando's."

"You order a quarter peri-peri chicken with chips and a cool drink for 33.95 rands (3.77 US dollars) - you pay with 40 rand, you get 6.05 cents change. But if you pay with 100 rand, you get 66.05 rand change. That's more change than you paid for the meal in the first place!"

An outraged ANC Youth League said the ad was a "racist" attempt to portray political leaders as "cartoons" and threatened to "mobilize the people of South Africa to take militant action against Nando's and anything associated with Nando's" unless the ad was withdrawn.

A Nando's marketing official was quoted in media reports as saying the ad was aimed at providing a bit of comic relief during election time and that many people had called the company to express their gratitude. (dpa)