Former ANC communications chief Smuts Ngonyama will resign from the ruling party on Thursday, he said.

"I'm resigning today [Thursday]," Ngonyama told Sapa.

"I've spoken to the secretary general of the ANC, Mr Gwede Mantashe, and I have informed him.

"I will be sending my resignation letter," said Ngonyama.

He was expected to make the announcement at press conference later on Thursday — organised by the breakaway Congress of the People party, which is led by former ANC heavyweights Terror Lekota and Mbhazima Shilowa.

Reasons for his resignation will be disclosed in a media statement, said Ngonyama.

African National Congress spokesperson Jessie Duarte said the ANC had not yet received a resignation letter from him.

Sapa