Cape Town - If the continuing controversy surrounding deputy president Jacob Zuma leads to his resignation, President Thabo Mbeki will be able to appoint a deputy president of his choice.

Although there is no stipulation in the Constitution that the deputy must succeed the president, it has become the common expectation. Similarly, the deputy leader of the African National Congress (ANC) is expected to become the deputy president.

Should Zuma's head roll, Mbeki will be able to select the deputy president. This places the person in a very strong position, not only to be elected as deputy leader of the ANC at the next congress, but also to take over the reigns from Mbeki in 2009.

Under Section 91(2) of the Constitution, the president appoints his deputy, determines the deputy president's powers and functions and may also fire him.

The Constitution requires that the deputy president be a member of parliament, but because of the current vacancies in the ANC caucus due to deaths, a person from outside parliament could even be appointed.

Speculation is already rife in political circles over who would take over from Zuma if he loses his position - which seems inevitable at present.

Although the names of Cyril Ramaphosa, businessman, Joel Netshitenzhe, cabinet spokesperson, and Mosioua Lekota, minister of defence, keep cropping up, many ANC members are placing their money on Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Another possibility being bandied about is that Mbeki might elevate Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader, to the position to put and end to the growing bond between the IFP and the Democratic Alliance.

With acknowledgements to Jan-Jan Joubert and the Beeld.