The governing African National Congress (ANC) on Thursday dismissed claims by Congress of the People (Cope) leader Mosiuoa Lekota that President Cyril Ramaphosa sold out his comrades to apartheid-era police.

Lekota received a standing ovation from National Assembly MPs of the Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters and the Freedom Front Plus on Wednesday during the state of the nation address (Sona) debate when he made the accusation. 

''The ANC has full confidence in President Ramaphosa, we do not take kindly to desperate attempts to call to question his integrity.  Allegations of this nature are often made when the accuser fears exposure for his own misdeeds or runs out of political ideas,'' acting spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.

Ramaphosa rose through the ranks and led the ANC's negotiations team before 1994, leading to the adoption of the country's constitution in 1996, he added. 

''Our people have full confidence in President Ramaphosa and we are confident that notwithstanding the challenges of the recent past, the ANC will emerge victorious at the polls with President Ramaphosa as the face of its campaign. Notwithstanding the baseless allegations made by Terror Lekota, the ANC will not be deterred in galvanising the nation to embrace a future where every citizen has a stake in growing South Africa into a vibrant and prosperous nation.''

Ramaphosa was on Thursday replying to opposition parties in the National Assembly.