The commission has released a statement - saying some comments in the letter by Edward Zuma appear to promote hatred on the basis of race.

It says it finds the comments offensive and disturbing.

In the letter, Zuma labels senior ANC members, Pravin Gordhan and Derek Hanekom 'sellouts' and accuses them of protecting white monopoly capital.

The commission's Gushwell Brooks says the commission is weighing different options.  

"The South African Human Rights Commission is looking at what to do to deal with this issue. The three options available to us, which is under consideration by our Commissioners as well, is our legal department is requesting a retraction and an apology, a subpoena hearing, or as an alternative taking the matter to the Equality Court," he says.

Zuma says he stands by the contents of the letter, adding that he respects all of the country's institutions - including the SA Human Rights Commission.

"I welcome that the Human Rights Commission wants to investigate that. However, what I'm saying is the Commission needs to take into cognisance, the politics of the matter," he says.

Source: East Coast Radio