Johannesburg : The ANC Youth League said claims of a plot to assassinate ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma should not be linked to the succession debate within the ruling party.

The league said yesterday that rumours of assassination attempts on Zuma had been doing the rounds for a while and the reasons for the alleged plots would emerge after a thorough investigation.

It urged law enforcement bodies to treat the allegations seriously and said the threat should not be underestimated.

When asked whether there was proof of a plot against Zuma, league president Fikile Mbalula said: "The only proof is when someone is dead." - Political Bureau

With acknowledgement to The Mercury.