Pretoria: The Presidency on Friday rejected claims that President Jacob Zuma is not available to answer questions in Parliament.

“The Presidency wishes to correct a false report alleging that President Jacob Zuma was avoiding answering questions in the National Assembly from Members of Parliament,” the high office said on Friday.

“President Zuma was available and ready to answer written and oral questions in Parliament the whole of 2013 and previous years. The year 2014 is no different, except for the national general elections.”

The National Assembly was given 13 March 2014 as the date on which the President is available to answer oral questions in the National Assembly for this quarter.

“It is incorrect to suggest that no date has been provided,” said the Presidency.

SOURCE: South African Official News