Johannesburg - The claims that there is a plot to assassinate African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma should be treated with the seriousness and urgency they deserve, says ANC Youth League (ANCYL) president Fikile Mbalula

He said on Wednesday: "We call on the police and other law-enforcement agencies to do everything in their power to get to the source of this matter."

He was commenting on a report on Friday in the Mail & Guardian newspaper of a plot to kill Zuma.

The report said an unidentified man had told police investigators he was a former member of the SA Defence Force and had been offered R1m to assassinate Zuma.

Mbalula said rumours of an assassination plot had been doing the rounds for some time.

Proof of plot 'difficult'

"We need to reveal the people and their agenda behind this act of cowardice."

He said any such plot was a threat to the country's democracy.

Asked if they had proof of the reported plot, Mbalula said this was difficult.

"You can't prove an assassination plot... the only proof is when a person is dead."

He said that there was prima facie evidence of the plot as someone had come out and said he was hired to assassinate Zuma.

The ANCYL also reiterated its support for Zuma to succeed President Thabo Mbeki as president of the ANC and of South Africa.