AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo has described the ANC and President Jacob Zuma as "corrupt hooligans" in Qunu in the Eastern Cape, The Times reported on Monday.

At a prayer service for former president Nelson Mandela, Dalindyebo reportedly said the African National Congress had distorted the anti-apartheid icon's legacy and behaved arrogantly.

"Zuma's leadership is distorting Madiba's leadership, it's distorting the ANC's leadership."

ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu told the newspaper the king's remarks were "unfortunate".

"He can't insult a head of state and then demand to be respected in turn."

Mthembu said the king should allow his "subjects" to decide for themselves who they would vote for in elections.

Dalindyebo said if the party remained in power for another 10 years, South Africans' freedom would be compromised.

He said: "I will stop smoking dagga the day Zuma stops being corrupt".