The tender system has caused harm to the image of the ANC and its government, President Jacob Zuma told ambassadors on Friday.

"There has to be a clear demarcation of responsibilities between those politicians who should not be involved in [the] supply chain at all, and those who do evaluations," he said.

Zuma was addressing ambassadors at the Sefako Makgatho presidential guest house in Pretoria.

He said in a speech prepared for delivery that the office of a chief procurement officer (CPO) would be established this semester to help tackle corruption.

"This will help to reduce problems in the supply chain management system."

"The tax clearance system would be enhanced to ensure that those who defraud the tax system do not benefit from government business."

In February, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said in his 2012 budget speech that government would appoint a CPO.

Competency of staff working in procurement would be reviewed and strict vetting of all purchasing officers would take place before any buying appointments were made, Gordhan said.