The allegations of bribery, corruption and inappropriate conduct concerning Deputy President Jacob Zuma are most unfortunate at a time when the rand is strengthening and economic growth is tending upwards. If growth is to be sustained, business in South Africa needs to be seen to be conducted on a level playing field. The allegations need to be resolved without delay.

There is an investigation by the elite Scorpions unit into an alleged attempt to secure a R500 000 bribe from Thomson-CSF, now known as Thales, a French conglomerate which was part of the consortium chosen to supply South Africa with four corvette warships.

There is also the question of Zuma's close financial relationship with Schabir Shaik, a director of African Defence Systems, which was also part of the consortium which gained the contract. Shaik accompanied Zuma to a Nepad financing meeting in Senegal, some months after he (Shaik) had been arrested and charged with possession of classified cabinet documents.

Deputy President Zuma is entitled to a presumption of innocence unless allegations of bribery and corruption are proven in a court of law. Yet these are serious matters. And the official ANC spokesman is doing his country a disservice in brushing aside the allegations as "a very minor thing considering his contribution to the ANC".

South Africa's incipient economic upturn will run out of steam if doubts become current in the market place about the ANC's commitment to good governance. And the deputy president's relationship with Schabir Shaik is hardly reassuring.

A head of state is a symbolic figure, representing the values and ideals of his country, and the deputy head of state shares in large measure in this role and responsibility. In appearing to make light of these allegations the ANC is sending the wrong signals to the market place.

The right course would have been for the deputy president to keep a low profile until these very serious allegations are cleared up.

And the ANC would do well to demonstrate that bribery and corruption are not tolerated, and that no one, however exalted, is spared the rigour of the law.

With acknowledgements to Cape Times and www.iol.co.za.