The Black Management Forum (BMF) is prepared to protect its president Jimmy Manyi from what it termed "unwarranted attacks", the organisation said on Friday.

In a statement, the BMF Northern Cape Chapter referred to media reports of a diplomatic complaint from Norway's ambassador to South Africa, Tor Christian-Hilda against Manyi for allegedly promoting his private business interests.

It said it was "surprised" that the issue raised by the Norwegian envoy was only reported in the media on Friday "when the incident happened in March".

Peace Ntuli, provincial deputy chairperson and spokesperson for the BMF in the Northern Cape, said Manyi was the victim of a witch-hunt.

Christian-Hilda and two other senior diplomats from the Norwegian mission met Manyi in Pretoria in early March to discuss Norway's cooperation with South Africa's decent work programme through the International Labour Organisation.

Christian-Hilda had since requested a meeting with Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana to raise concerns about Manyi's conduct during the official meeting.

Ntuli was also concerned about attacks on Manyi for his dual roles as director-general of the Department of Labour and the president of the BMF.

"We advise everyone to respect the decision of our conference which elected Manyi knowing he was the DG of labour.

"We have a capable deputy president and MD who are running the organisation well, and a board that can identify weaknesses and strengthen the BMF.

"We say hands-off our president".

According to Ntuli, Manyi - like all past presidents of the BMF - had a job at Tiger Brands when he was first elected president of the BMF.

Manyi then joined the department of labour.

"There exists no policy position in the BMF that senior government officials cannot lead our organisation."

Mdladlana had supported Manyi's dual role at the BMF's last annual conference in October 2009.

Ntuli said that the organisation would continue to support its president in both roles and also support the minister in his role.

"Our view is that the issues our president raises don't sit well with people who want to keep the status quo of an untransformed South African workplace."