President Jacob Zuma and other ANC leaders had not influenced KZN traditional leaders not to vote for IFP leader Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi at the weekend, the ruling party said on Monday.

"The ANC wants to state for the record that the decisions of the house of traditional leadership are taken by traditional leaders themselves through a transparent and democratic process guided by their consciences and their legislative prescripts," said ANC secretary Sihle Zikalala.

Buthelezi withdrew as a candidate for the post of chairman in the KwaZulu-Natal house of traditional leaders during the elections at the weekend, saying he was not prepared to be used as a tool to divide traditional leadership.

His announcement came after the Independent Electoral Commission tallied nominations which placed Bhekisisa Bhengu, another traditional leader ahead of him. Bhengu had 28 nominations to Buthelezi's 24.

Buthelezi later claimed that Zuma and KZN ANC chairman Dr Zweli Mkhize had promised amakhosi material benefits in a bid to oust him as chairperson of the house.

The statement angered the ANC and on Monday it demanded Buthelezi "refrain from defaming its leaders without putting any shred of evidence on the table".

Zikalala said the meeting Zuma had with amakhosi before the general elections was requested by amakhosi. It was part of a series of meetings which Zuma had with amakhosi from other parts of the country.

Zikalala said the will of amakhosi must be respected, no matter how uncomfortable it may be to some.

Sapa

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