Mail & Guardian says in the book, written by former trade unionist Ebrahim Harvey, Motlanthe expresses unhappiness about how the party's current leadership handles service delivery, the abuse of state organs, and the state of affairs in the ANC.

Kgalema Motlanthe: A Political Biography will be released in Johannesburg on October 11.

Motlanthe also bemoans African National Congress leaders for expelling former ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema.

However, he makes it clear in the book that he is part of the leadership and so does not isolate himself from these problems.

An extract from the book reads: "Kgalema's hopes for the new Zuma term were dashed in several major respects, but he does not try to distance himself from the problems. The situation for the poor majority, relations between the ANC and its allies and the state of affairs within the ANC itself are all on the whole very much as they were under [former president Thabo] Mbeki."

Motlanthe dismisses speculation that he will not make himself available for the ANC's top position if President Jacob Zuma stands for the job again. He says no one has approached him yet.

"My position is that nobody must try to canvass for themselves in the run-up to elections," Motlanthe is quoted saying in the book.

"It is up to the will of the branches. But if I am nominated for such a position... I will either accept or decline."