As the political storm around Deputy President Jacob Zuma and the arms deal raged on yesterday, President Thabo Mbeki said that he was "very concerned" about the allegations against Zuma but refused to take sides between Zuma and the Scorpions investigating an alleged R500 000 bribe.

"I really wish that this matter would move forward as quickly as possible so it can be concluded," Mbeki said in response to a question at a media briefing here yesterday.

But Mbeki hinted that "institutional tensions" between the Scorpions and the South African Police Service (SAPS) would have to be resolved at some point and one of option would be for the Scorpions to become part of a specialised police unit.

Mbeki said that while he was concerned both about the allegations against Zuma and the fact that the deputy president cited political motives for the case against him, he insisted that it would be "dangerous" for him, as president, to express a view on the matter.

"I haven't sought to get into the matter because one cannot help forming a judgement once you do," he said.

Mbeki said that if he were to be briefed by both sides - national director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka and Zuma - he would become part of "determination of what is right and wrong".

Mbeki's remarks reflect growing concern in the highest echelons of government of the consequences for the ruling party, the presidency and the country of having a deputy president - and possible future president - suspected of corruption.

On alleged tensions between SAPS and the Scorpions, Mbeki said there had been an institutional tension between the two forces that would have to be addressed but her ruled out the dissolution of the Scorpions.

"They (the Scorpions) could quite easily become a special police unit," he said.

But there were sensitivities relating to a recruitment and pay levels in the public service.

"It's a question of the location of the Scorpions," he said. "You can't have two police services at the national level."

Mbeki said his link with the investigation into Zuma was through Justice Minister Penuell Maduna. He felt had made known his view that the probe should be speeded up.

With acknowledgements to John Battersby and the Cape Times.