Despite the Scorpions' decision not to prosecute Deputy President Jacob Zuma on allegations of corruption, he appears likely to face a parliamentary investigation following an examination of his financial affairs which reflects gifts substantially greater than R500 000.

While the Scorpions announced on Friday that they did not intend prosecuting Zuma, the unit said it would be referring to Parliament Zuma's declaration of gifts and donations .

Scorpions spokesman Sipho Ngwema confirmed yesterday that the value of the gifts received was substantially more than the R500 000 often referred to in connection with the arms deal case.

The potential sanctions that could result from a parliamentary investigation in terms of ethical rules are substantially less severe than those that might arise from a corruption charge.

But the investigation could still cause problems for Zuma, as it did for former African National Congress (ANC) parliamentary whip Tony Yengeni, particularly as it will take place in a highly charged political atmosphere and in public forums.

This state of political disquiet was demonstrated yesterday by an angry and voluble response to the Scorpions' decision, with opposition parties claiming SA's system of justice had been "besmirched" by National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka's decision.

Opposition parties were unusually unanimous in their anger about the decision not to prosecute, which was described as "a clear case of political pressure being applied" and some have vowed to take the matter further.

Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille will be consulting her lawyers about using the Promotion of Access to Information Act to get hold of the Scorpions' report so that Ngcuka's decision can be independently evaluated. Depending on what this throws up, she might also consider launching a private prosecution against Zuma in the name of the South African public.

Democratic Alliance (DA) justice spokeswoman Sheila Camerer said the party intended asking Justice Minister Penuell Maduna to provide the key findings of the Scorpions' investigation.

Camerer said the decision had damaged the image of the criminal justice system.

"The suspicion will linger that ANC big wigs are somehow above the law and that the minnows like Yengeni and Schabir Shaik are fall guys'."

DA chief whip Douglas Gibson said he would ask for a parliamentary debate on the issue next week when the National Assembly resumed its sitting. "SA is entitled to hear Parliament pronounce on the deputy president."

"The deputy president is fatally wounded and he should stand down. He should protect the dignity and the standing of his office by resigning now before there are further humiliations."

With acknowledgement to the Business Day.