Maduna says decision to keep the row from the media has backing of Mbeki

Government has moved to enforce silence in its ranks on corruption charges allegedly involving Deputy President Jacob Zuma, as the African National Congress (ANC) becomes increasingly concerned that the arms-deal saga is spiralling out of control.

The move comes after several weeks of intense media coverage of both the Zuma saga and related issues involving former transport minister Mac Maharaj.

The decision to enforce a news blackout follows a week of behind-the-scenes negotiations involving representatives of various government bodies and ANC officials. These discussions culminated in businessman and former ANC secretary-general Cyril Ramaphosa's decision not to involve himself in any aspect of the case, dealing a blow to those in the ANC who had hoped his intervention would help resolve the crisis.

The decision to limit official commentary on the topic has the full backing of President Thabo Mbeki and was effectively put into practice by many key players yesterday. Justice Minister Penuell Maduna, accompanied by National Prosecuting Authority head Bulelani Ngcuka at a function in Soweto, said government had resolved not to comment further on the matter.

"With the support of President Thabo Mbeki, we have decided not to comment on this matter," he said. "No one must comment. We are not in the business of running investigations through the media," Maduna said.

Asked who had approached Ramaphosa to mediate between the Scorpions and Zuma's lawyers, Maduna denied knowledge of the plea-bargain talks. "I am not interested in it and I do not want to know," he said.

Zuma faces allegations that he tried to solicit R500 000 from a company that benefited from SA's multibillion-rand arms deal.

Presidential spokesman Bheki Khumalo said Mbeki would not be drawn into the debate. "The president has got nothing at all to do with the matter; he is away at the moment on his annual leave."

Maduna's spokesman, Paul Setsetse, said there was nothing more for Mbeki or Maduna to say.

Political parties were outraged by the news that Ramaphosa had been approached to meet Ngcuka to open discussions on a possible plea bargain in the case of Zuma, his associate Schabir Shaik and Maharaj.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the New National Party said it smacked of political interference.

DA spokesman Hendrik Schmidt called on Mbeki to distance his party from the interference, and investigate and discipline those who instigated it.

"Ramaphosa's cameo role in this saga, however small it turns out to be, is highly improper. He should never have agreed to interfere in a criminal investigation involving serious allegations of corruption, but he should also never have been asked to get involved"

With acknowledgements to Chantelle Benjamin, Tim Cohen and the Business Day.