No amount of spin-doctoring can change the fact that the investigation of allegations of corruption involving Deputy President Jacob Zuma by the Scorpions has created a major crisis in the government. The issue now is what kind of leadership President Mbeki has been able to offer over this predicament.

So far, Mbeki is not covered himself in glory in this matter. The president has appointed an apartheid-era judge to probe whether Bulelani Ngcuka, the Scorpions boss, was an apartheid-era spy. The inquiry is also expected to look at whether Ngcuka abused his office.

Assuming that Ngcuka may have abused his office in his probe of Zuma, the question then becomes - what has happened to the questions raised against Zuma that related to his alleged receiving of money from Schabir Shaik, who is facing criminal charges related to the arms deal?

Secondly, Justice Minister Penuell Maduna supported Ngcuka when the latter said there was a prima facie case against Zuma but he was not convinced that the case was winnable in court.

Now Maduna is himself the subject of investigation. He too stands accused of abusing his office. The common thread connecting Maduna and Ngcuka - the "suspects" in the inquiry - is that they both made a statement that portrayed Zuma in a bad light.

Mbeki and the ANC have not entertained an inquiry on the allegations made against Zuma. There may be an explanation for this apparent inconsistency, but on the face of it, it appears as if Ngcuka and Maduna's cardinal sin was to point an accusing finger at Zuma.

Maduna has also complicated the issue. He has said that he will not be available to serve in the cabinet after the election next year. There is no clarity on why he is bailing out.

Our view is that if Maduna is no longer passionate about his job, he should do the honourable thing and resign.

We call upon the president to provide leadership which the country so desperately requires in this hour of political confusion.

With acknowledgements to the editor and The Star.