International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has defended South Africa's ambassador to the US, former Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool, against calls for him to be recalled until he can refute allegations that he bribed a journalist to write favourably about him.

Responding to questions in Parliament yesterday, Nkoana-Mashabane said there was no need to recall Rasool because the allegations against him had not been proved.

"I can say we have read about the allegations in the newspapers [but] the allegations have not been tested, therefore he is presumed innocent until proved otherwise," she said.

Opposition parties asked President Jacob Zuma to halt Rasool's appointment until bribery allegations made by former Cape Argus journalist Ashley Smith were investigated.

Smith said in an affidavit that Rasool used him as his "front-line attack" against ANC rivals, particularly the party's former provincial secretary, Mcebisi Skwatsha.