DA leader Helen Zille's remarks on the re-election of Jacob Zuma as ANC president have no credibility", the Eastern Cape ANC said on Wednesday.

"Anyone who, accidentally, came across the statement she released following the elections of top six officials of the ANC, will agree that this clever by half statement has no value, sense and credibility," spokesman Mlibo Qoboshiyane said.

He said Zille's remarks were "less clever than the utterings of a drunken person". Her comments were part of her "decaying attacks" against the ANC.

Zille earlier said the ANC's national conference election results were a sad day for South Africa because it sent out a message that the ANC was a movement that put "powerful people" above the law.

Zille, who is also Western Cape premier, said "corruption and abuse of public resources that has so far characterised his [Zuma's] time in office" would continue.

Qoboshiyane said Zuma had never been convicted of corruption in court.

"Making insinuations contrary to this is utter disrespect," he said.

Democratic Alliance spokesman Mmusi Maimane defended Zille's criticism of Zuma.

"I think what we must argue as South Africans is that the ANC is aware that its own choice of president has implications for our country."