"I merely mentioned it in passing," he told SABC journalists according to a television news bulletin on Monday night.
The full interview was flighted on Sunday night.
Mangosuthu reportedly said to delegates at an IFP meeting last month he would step down as party president, saying April's election results were a vote of no confidence in his leadership.
The IFP lost the election in KwaZulu-Natal stronghold to the African National Congress and recorded low results nationally.
"Some of the spies of some of our enemies distorted what I said,” Buthelezi said on Sunday.
"I don't know why it should be queried when I say that in any democracy if the party did not do well the leader gives the party an opportunity to decide whether it should allow that leader to stand again as the head of that organisation."
About his political future following him being sacked from the Cabinet by President Thabo Mbeki, Buthelezi he has served the South African public for over 50 years.
"I only started serving in the Cabinet in 1994. I don't know why you people think my leadership depends on me being in the Cabinet."
- Sapa
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
