CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - A police sniffer dog caused a political stink in South Africa's parliament after leaving its excrement under of the seat of a prominent opposition leader.

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The dog faeces found Thursday under the bench of Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi provoked outrage among politicians as some believed it was left there as an insult before a speech by President Thabo Mbeki.

One member of parliament demanded a formal apology from the speaker of parliament.

But a police spokesman said Friday it amounted to a simple call of nature.

"It was one of our police dogs we use to sweep the premises," Inspector Dennis Adriao told Reuters.

"The handler did try to clean it up and missed some of it. Obviously, we have apologized to (Buthelezi) for any embarrassment caused," he said.

Buthelezi was home affairs minister until last year when Mbeki dropped him after Inkatha and the ruling African National Congress fell out

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