Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe on Tuesday denied mentioning Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi or the Zulu King in a Mail & Guardian Interview.

"I never uttered the names of the Prince of KwaPhindangene [Buthelezi] and of His Majesty [King Goodwill Zwelithini] with this mouth of mine," said Hlophe in an open letter to Buthelezi.

The weekly newspaper reported on Friday that Hlophe had said he might be killed, "I am not bullet proof". The interview was allegedly held before President Jacob Zuma announced the new Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, for which Hlophe allegedly contested.

According to the Mail & Guardian, Hlophe allegedly went on to cite the Zulu monarch King Zwelithini "who had been sent into lengthy exile for his own safety after his uncle, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, displayed regal ambitions".

Hlophe said he was consulting his lawyers about this matter as "it dazed my head with shock, as it makes me a careless Zulu".

"I apologise very sincerely for the wrong impression which may have been created because of this newspaper report.

"I will always respect you, Shenge, even when they try to pit us against each other."