ANC Chief Whip denies backing motion of no confidence against Zuma

African National Congress (ANC) Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu on Tuesday refuted a media report that he would support a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma in Parliament.

The ANC Chief Whip is not aware of any motion nor does he support any motion by any opposition party, Mthembu's office said.

The Chief Whip and his office were not even contacted to verify these claims, the office said.

A report published by the Independent Online (IOL) website claimed earlier Tuesday that Mthembu would support an anti-Zuma motion of no confidence tabled by the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

These claims are "baseless and malicious", Mthembu's office said.

The ANC Chief Whip will therefore be laying a complaint with the Press Ombudsman against the IOL for publishing a story without even requesting the ANC Chief Whip a right of reply, said Moloto Moloto, spokesperson for the Chief Whip Office.

This shoddy journalism is not only unfortunate but malicious, Moloto said.

"We urge members of the media to act responsibly to avert such unnecessary and unfortunate stories," he said. Endit