Jacob Zuma threatens Kgalema Motlanthe

South Africa President Jacob Zuma has hit out at those who have called him a liability. An angry Zuma voiced his irritation at former president Kgalema Motlanthe's recent utterances, News24 reported.

"I have heard rumours that I have become a liability," he said at the ANC's KwaZulu-Natal conference in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.

"How can a member of the ANC be referred to as a liability... No member can be a liability."

A clearly irritated Zuma also took a shot at Motlanthe who spoke out about the party and the alliance.

In an interview with Business Day, Motlanthe spoke on a number of issues including the tripartite alliance, the state of the ANC, its leaders and members.

Zuma said, "I read an article where one comrade who said the alliance was dead, they are politically corrupt... It's cold out there..."

Zuma says there are comrades who have been in the leadership of the ANC and they are now the biggest critics of the ANC.

"Why now when they're sitting out there they have wisdom? When they were in here, why did they not bring that wisdom?

"Alliance is dead!'... They must sit down and be quiet. In fact, (an) unwritten rule is when you're out - don't criticise those who come after you....simple A, B, C, D...

"Don't provoke us too far. Don't. We have a job to do, to achieve prosperity. Don't. No one is bigger than the ANC. They are cowards. Just an unnecessary irritation. And we may not tolerate this for too long."

Zuma also took a jibe at Dr frank Chikane saying, "Others are pastors, they should stay in church and preach and leave politics to those who know it better."

Zuma said previous leaders should not criticise current leaders.