Hundreds of delegates arrived at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein on Thursday for the national conference of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL).
Although the programme for the day had not started by 11am, delegates already inside and outside the Callie Human Centre were dancing and singing songs, waiting for proceedings to start.
Security at the centre was tight and entering the venue required some time.
Various senior ANC officials arrived earlier in Bloemfontein for the conference.
ANC president Jacob Zuma arrived at the centre and was ushered to a waiting room next to the centre.
Other officials who arrived and were ushered into the same waiting area were ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe and treasurer Mathews Phosa, while Congress of South African Trade Unions secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi also joined them.
Zuma is expected to address the conference later on Thursday.
Free State police spokesperson Captain Chaka Marope confirmed an incident at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in which a man, claiming to be an ANCYL branch leader in George, was arrested.
The man apparently stole a laptop computer and cellphone at an office at the CUT.
Hundreds of ANCYL representatives registered for the conference at CUT on Wednesday.
Marope said the 28-year old man was expected to appear in court on Thursday. — Sapa