Cope leader, Mosiuoa Lekota, ruffled feathers when he accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of having betrayed his comrades at a critical time during the struggle.

"We were invited on a trip of the struggle by the late Steve Biko, who said to us we must fight the struggle," said Lekota.

"He said to us in case of danger or living conditions that threaten human life, we must accept life for what it is or not at all. It did not take very long, that was around 1972.

"In 1974, we went into detention among others and in the course of that we had to respond to this challenge and I want to say to you... you invited me last week - your invitation last week was late.

"The challenge we needed to respond to was that time and you with us in detention."

Lekota said Ramaphsoa wrote to the special branch that "communist ideas" was put in his head.

"In doing so, you condemned us to the special branch," said Lekota.

Lekota was greeted with applause from opposition parties following his comments.

eNCA