Calling President Jacob Zuma a thief, "accused number 1" or even referring to him as an accused criminal infringed on his dignity, Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli has ruled.

This was after Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane referred to the president as a thief and a criminal in a speech in Parliament, prompting numerous points of order from the African National Congress (ANC).

Maimane was asked to withdraw the statement more than an hour after he called Zuma a thief, after the deputy speaker returned with a ruling.

Tsenoli said they could not refer to Zuma as an accused unless he had charges that were put to him.

"By using inflammatory remarks, we are not advancing [the] case for debate. Such remarks infringe on his dignity," he said.

He said calling Zuma a thief was completely unacceptable and called for Maimane to withdraw his remarks, which he did.

The DA then asked if it was acceptable to quote a judgment and said they would refer the matter to the rules committee.