President Jacob Zuma is not involved in any recruitment processes taking place within the SA Broadcasting Corporation, the presidency said on Tuesday.
"The presidency is concerned about media reports linking the president to the recruitment of a chief operations officer," it said in a statement.
The Sunday Independent reported at the weekend that Hlaudi Motsoeneng, who was "an ANC deployee at the SABC" and a supporter of Zuma, was set to get the job.
The presidency said: "The president is not involved... It is regrettable that his name has been dragged into this matter in this manner."
The article prompted Communications Minister Dina Pule to request a report from the SABC board on the recruitment.
"The minister immediately requested the board to suspend the current search and to follow a normal and wider executive appointment process," said ministry spokesman Siyabulela Qoza on Monday.
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