President Thabo Mbeki has ruled out a commission of inquiry into allegations that Deputy President Jacob Zuma took a bribe in connection with the multibillion-rand arms deal. But he has not ruled out investigations by other state agencies.

Replying to a question in Parliament from Democratic Alliance finance spokeswoman Raenette Taljaard, Mbeki said: "Commissions of inquiry cost money. They must, therefore, be appointed on the basis of clear evidence presented to the president, backed by some material facts."

According to newspaper reports, Zuma is being probed by the Scorpions for allegedly soliciting a R500 000 bribe from former southern African head of Thompson-SCF (now Thales), Alain Thetard.

On Wenesday Zuma again denied the bribery allegations, adding he does not know if he is under investigation by the Scorpions on the issue.

Taljaard asked whether the probe by the Scorpions is a consistent approach, given that a certain person - understood to be Kevin Wakeford, former SA Chamber of Business CEO - made allegations against key market players for their role in the collapse of the rand in 2001, and the Myburgh commission was appointed.

Mbeki said: "Yes, in the case referred to, allegations were supported by evidence."

He added that "the possibility of using other state agencies to conduct inquiries must be considered".

In written reply to a question by Taljaard, Zuma said he did not meet Thetard on March 11, 2000 in Durban (as alleged) "or anywhere else in South Africa". He did not discuss the issue of protecting Thales or any other company or individual from the Joint Investigating Team's probe into the arms deal with anyone at all.

In his capacity as deputy president and previously as KwaZulu-Natal economic affairs and tourism MEC, Zuma said he interacts with a large number of people, but is unable to personally remember the names of all of them. "Alain Thetard may have been part of one of the Thompson-SCF delegations."

Zuma added that he has no business interests and/or shareholdings in Thales or the other companies mentioned in this regard (the Nkobi Group and African Defence System). Nor does he have any knowledge of any member of his extended family having any such interests.

Regarding the probe by the Scorpions, Zuma said: "The Directorate of Special Operations has, however, never approached me for comment. At my request, my attorneys approached the National Director of Public Prosecutions when the allegations first surfaced late last year, to inquire as to whether I was indeed being investigated.

"The national director refused to confirm or deny that such an investigation was taking place. I am therefore gathering most of the information in this matter from the media," Zuma said.

On Wednesday Zuma was again asked by DA Chief Whip Douglas Gibson about the allegations, saying now is the moment to protest his innocence before Parliament and before the people of South Africa.

"They need to hear you deny the allegations and lift the cloud of suspicion which is being cast over your head," he said.

Zuma replied he has indeed denied the allegations "in the newspapers, which have published this".

With acknowledgements to Sapa and The Natal Witness.