Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille promised on Sunday to attack "ANC corruption" no matter what the international consequences.

"I will keep on telling the truth about the African National Congress (ANC) again and again, because it is in South Africa's interests to do so.

"The DA will stop ANC corruption and power abuse," said Zille in a statement.

She was responding to a complaint laid against her with the Human Rights Commission by Congress of South African Trade Union (Cosatu) Western Cape provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich.

In the complaint, Ehrenreich said Zille was "recklessly endangering the South African people and their international interest".

He said that South Africa's development was linked to its ability to draw foreign investment.

"This focus area of government is being severely undermined by Zille's constant refrain that South Africa and the government is run by a closed grouping that effectively disregards the institutions of democratic practice," said Ehrenreich.

He said Zille, as the leader of an opposition political party, should be held to a higher standard than a private individual.

But Zille said that criticising the ANC and its government was part of her role as an opposition politician.

"That is our job as the biggest opposition party. And we will do our job, whether Tony Ehrenreich and the ANC like it or not. We will not let our beloved country become a banana republic," she said.