POLITICAL analysts have rubbished unions' claims that there is a "plot" by a small group of corrupt ANC leaders to unseat President Jacob Zuma.

POLITICAL analysts have rubbished unions' claims that there is a "plot" by a small group of corrupt ANC leaders to unseat President Jacob Zuma.

Last Friday SA Municipal Workers Union general secretary Mthandeki Nhlapo said he had information about a plot to remove Zuma - which would be exposed at the ANC's national general council in September.

The day before Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi had made the same claim. But Human Sciences Research Council senior research specialist Mcebisi Ndletyana said describing dissatisfied ANC members as involved in a plot against Zuma "reflects ignorance of ANC history. The ANC has always been a multi-class organisation. It is not a working class organisation exclusively. So it is not surprising that you would have business people saying that their policies are not sufficiently pursued by this presidency because they expect the ANC to represent their interests," Ndletyana said.

Political analyst Dale McKinley, author of "The ANC and the Liberation Struggle", said the accusation of a plot was "more useful for factional battles. Big business has always had plots to make sure that people in charge serve their interests. There is no plot, just the same conflict over power and privilege" he said.

But leading unionists from three different Cosatu affiliates said they stood by Cosatu's claim.