The government lacks ethics, moral authority and the political will to act against corruption, the Democratic Alliance has charged.

The DA's Raenette Taljaard has urged President Thabo Mbeki to act decisively.

"Sweep away the cobwebs of corruption and conflicts of interest that blight this government," she said on Monday in reply to Mbeki's state-of-the-nation address.

Taljaard, the DA's finance spokesperson, said the president had emphasised the need for moral renewal, but all the public saw at the opening of parliament was "moral and ethical turpitude".

'The opening of parliament resembles an identification parade at a criminal investigation'

"They see at least four people brushing with the law or grabbing the limelight due to corruption charges and/or criminal investigation," she said.

These included former Afican National Congress chief whip Tony Yengeni, ANC Women's League president Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

There was also New National Party leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk, whose party members accused him of knowing about a R300 000 "donation" from a golf estate development.

"What type of society are we, and what values do we embody when the presidential ceremonial entourage at the opening of parliament resembles an identification parade at a criminal investigation?" Taljaard asked. This comment was later retracted.

Yengeni has been convicted of fraud and has misled parliament; Madikizela-Mandela has been on trial for fraud and theft, and Zuma is facing allegations of soliciting a R500 000 bribe from a company involved in the arms deal.

'When the corruption circus rolls into town, everyone wants to get in on the act'

Taljaard said at least three cabinet members had been implicated or had been under investigation for suspected corruption - former defence minister Joe Modise, former transport minister Mac Maharaj, and Zuma.

There were several other instances of irregularities in the public service, including claims against Civil Aviation Authority chief executive officer Trevor Abrahams, and the housing scandal involving Spoornet CEO Zandile Jakavula.

"It is clear that when the corruption circus rolls into town, everyone wants to get in on the act.

"But, instead of having an iron-fisted approach of cracking down on corruption or dubious practice, most of these cases were dispensed by a limp-wristed rap on the knuckles or inaction," Taljaard said.

The NNP and the ANC accused the DA of cheap, political point-scoring, saying that its own house is not clean.

ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama said : "The corruption charge against Yengeni has been set aside. All the (other) cases are allegations until the courts have made their judgment."

National Assembly Speaker Frene Ginwala told MPs on Monday that she had written to parliament's ethics committee "requesting to resume without delay their consideration of complaints against Mr Yengeni, which they have suspended with the approval of the house pending the outcome of the court case".

With acknowledgements to Sapa and The Star.