Government spokesman Jimmy Manyi should have been relieved of his duties a long time ago, the Democratic Alliance said on Monday.

"It is about time that Mr Manyi was removed from office. He has consistently showcased behaviour unbecoming of government’s chief communicator," DA spokesman Mmusi Maimane said in a statement.

The presidency announced on Monday that Manyi's three-year contract as CEO of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and Cabinet spokesman had not been renewed, and ended on Saturday, August 25.

Maimane said there were numerous reasons why Manyi should have been dismissed.

"In June 2010 he was suspended from his position as director general in the department of labour following a complaint that he used an official meeting to promote his private interests. This should have disqualified him immediately."

Maimane took Manyi to task for his remark, made in March 2010, that there was an "over-supply" of coloureds in the Western Cape, and that Indians were over-represented in management positions across the country.

He also accused Manyi of undermining media freedom.

"Last year he made headlines for suggesting that the government could withdraw advertising revenue from newspapers that do not toe the government line."

Manyi had "dodged accountability".

"Earlier this year he instructed government departments to give non-answers to pressing DA questions in Parliament, showcasing to what extent he is willing to use shady tactics to dodge accountability," Maimane said.

The DA said Manyi had a "terrible relationship" with the media.

"During his three years as government spokesperson he only soured the relationship between government, the media, and the public."

Manyi joined GCIS in February 2011 from the department of labour, where he was transferred to complete the rest of his contract as director general in the public service.