Deputy President Jacob Zuma says he is not aware anybody had edited reports on the arms deal investigation.

Replying to a question in the National Assembly on Wednesday, he said: "I'm not aware of it... and don't think anyone sat down and changed the report."

He said if someone had allegedly done this, then it should come out.

Zuma was responding to a question by the Democratic Alliance's Raenette Taljaard, in which she said South Africa would have a "false dawn to notions of moral regeneration" if the full truth of the arms deal did not emerge.

On the latest allegations of tampering with the arms deal investigation report, Taljaard told Zuma these left "unresolved questions about your involvement with Thales in this sordid saga".

Zuma is alleged to have solicited a bribe from the French defence contractor, and has previously denied that he requested a payment of R50 000 from Thales Southern Africa.

"Regarding myself, I don't deal with rumours," said Zuma in response to Taljaard.

He said anybody could start rumours, but that people "must allow a process that is legal and transparent to take its course".

Responding to an earlier question on moral regeneration by the Inkatha Freedom Party's Lindiwe Mbuyazi, Zuma said South Africa had made "considerable progress to push back the moral decay in our country".

He said the moral regeneration movement, launched in April 2002, had established provincial chapters in six provinces to try and get the message across to grassroots levels.

Zuma said training was provided in workshops to help raise awareness for a "healthy, caring and harmonious society".

Promoting respect for human rights, fighting child abuse and corruption were also high on the agenda.

He said the national conference to adopt a moral regeneration charter, scheduled for this year, had been postponed until next year.

"More in-depth consultation was needed before the roll-out," he said, adding that everybody had a responsibility to promote moral regeneration.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and www.iafrica.co.za