The deputy minister of agriculture, land and rural development, Sdumo Dlamini who is being treated in a Durban hospital, is "making good progress", according to the Presidency.

"President [Cyril] Ramaphosa placed a phone call from Pretoria to Dlamini in hospital today, Tuesday.

"The president was pleased to hear the deputy minister is in good spirits and to learn from him that he was making good progress," presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko said in a statement on Tuesday.

The minister fell ill last month and was admitted to hospital "for a severe headache", according to ministry spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo, News24 earlier reported.

ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte, in a media briefing, however refused to speculate on rumours Dlamini might have been poisoned.

"We are worried about him; he isn't doing very well. We just hope that the cause is not poisoning.

"But whatever it is, we wish him well and we hope he recovers. He is a valuable member of our organisation and society," she said at the time.

The president, who was "heartened" by Dlamini's progress, wished him a speedy and full recovery, Diko said.

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