Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma's supporters in Limpopo have renewed their call for President Jacob Zuma to instruct Limpopo premier Stan Mathabatha to resign following his cabinet reshuffle last week.

Mathabatha angered the group last week when he announced the cabinet reshuffle which saw Makoma Makhurupetje, Dlamini-Zuma's chief lobbyist in the province, moved from the powerful and influential corporate governance and human settlements portfolio to the less influential transport and community safety department.

Sowetan understands that Dlamini-Zuma's supporters, who include MECs and some regional leaders, contacted Zuma over the weekend asking him to order Mathabatha to resign. Mathabatha is a strong supporter of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Makhurupetje, who is ANC deputy secretary in Limpopo, is among leaders who want Dlamini-Zuma to be the next ANC president.

Mathabatha's spokesman, Kenny Mathivha, yesterday said he was not aware of any fresh attempts asking the premier to step down.

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, ANC Limpopo spokeswoman, said the provincial executive committee (PEC) was also not aware of plans to force Mathabatha to resign.

"It remains the prerogative of the [ANC] president, in consultation with the NEC [national executive committee] to remove or appoint premiers. As a PEC we remain confident in the premier," Ntshavheni said.

Earlier this year, some PEC members allegedly visited Zuma at Nkandla and at his official residence Mahlamba Ndlopfu in Pretoria to ask him to instruct Mathabatha to resign.

The constitution does not allow Zuma as the president of the country to fire premiers. A premier can only be removed by the legislature.