A court in South Africa has dismissed a bid by the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, to declare the governing African National Congress' (ANC) controversial policy to deploy its cadres to key state institutions as unconstitutional.

The DA argued that the policy undermined the independence of state institutions, and fuelled corruption.

But the High Court in Pretoria ruled against the party.

The ANC has long argued that the policy is aimed at bringing about racial transformation in South Africa following the end of apartheid in 1994.

The DA said it would appeal against the ruling.

The court battle came as political parties gear up for national and provincial elections set for 29 May.