The splinter group Cope is using names of ANC stalwarts to campaign for the elections because their leaders have no strong foundations, the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Nomfundo Mcetywa called on the breakaway party not to use Inkosi Albet Luthuli's name in its "desperate" campaign.

"Cope is using the names of ANC stalwarts to campaign because they realise that the leaders they currently have in their ranks have no strong foundations and history to build good legacies for themselves," said Mcetywa.

She said African National Congress stalwarts like Luthuli, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo, Chris Hani and Joe Slovo lived and died as ANC members.

"As the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal we say hands off to our leaders and stalwarts. We say hands off to our legacy and heritage," said Mcetywa.

"Cope must now stop laying claim to our heritage and legacy of our stalwarts and build their own legacy."

Cope spokesperson Siyanda Mhlongo was not immediately available to comment on the matter.