Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille on Monday called for an investigation into claims that the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is conducting surveillance of ANC members planning a breakaway party.

Zille said she had written to President Kgalema Motlanthe to request that he investigate reports in the media which suggested that the NIA was conducting surveillance of ANC members thought to be planning a breakaway party.

The Sunday Times this week published a story citing sources within the NIA confirming reports that a surveillance operation had been launched to spy on ANC dissidents.

"Using the NIA for internal political purposes is a serious abuse of power. It is unconscionable that state intelligence resources intended to protect the national interest be used to gather intelligence on behalf of a faction of the ANC," Zille said.

Motlanthe, who had pledged to uphold the country's Constitution, should now demonstrate his commitment to good governance.

"President Motlanthe now has the chance to demonstrate the commitment he has shown by launching an urgent and independent investigation into these allegations," Zille said.

It was also an opportunity for the new Minister of Intelligence, Siyabonga Cwele, to demonstrate that he would not tolerate the abuse of the intelligence services.

"The abuse of state machinery for political purposes helped the apartheid government to maintain its illegitimate regime. We cannot allow the same thing to happen in a democratic South Africa," Zille said.

Sapa