Jacob Zuma scraped clear of what might have been tough questions in parliament yesterday, and earned applause from the ANC benches for confidently dismissing suggestions that he should relieve himself of the burden of leading South Africa's moral regeneration.

It was an outwardly relaxed and at times even seemingly bemused Deputy President who spent the first minutes of question time listening to the Democratic Alliance's crisply argued but ultimately vain attempt to sway the Speaker on allowing him to face questions about his assurances to parliament last year on potentially controversial money matters.

DA MP Douglas Gibson argued that if Zuma really was worried about being tried by the media, this was the perfect opportunity to dispel doubts about his integrity.

At the conclusion of his point of order Gibson said: "If (Zuma) told parliament (on March 13, 2003) and the parliamentary ethics committee the truth, the answer is 'No' to both questions." It would be as simple as that, he implied. Please, he urged the Speaker, reconsider.

No, she insisted, the matter had been "very carefully" considered and though Zuma was not being tried, the substance of the question was directly associated with the trial. "Therefore I have ruled the question out of order, and that stands."

There was vigorous applause from the ANC benches. Someone shouted: "It's a cover-up".

The United Christian Democratic Party's Paul Ditshetelo wanted to know from Zuma whether his office "has achieved the aims and objectives of the moral regeneration of the country", and, if not, "what obstacles have been or are being encountered, and, if so, what major achievements account for progress in this regard"?

Zuma launched into a measured explanation of efforts to fight "moral decay", to promote "positive values" and to "build an ethical and caring country".

ANC Chief Whip Mbulelo Goniwe fingered the DA's Mike Waters for using the words "cover-up". This, Goniwe said, "casts aspersions on the ruling of the House".

To suggest a ruling of the house was a "cover-up", the Speaker said, would be unparliamentary.

The point of order didn't put off Ditshetelo from asking: "In the light of what is going on right now, would you regard the Shabir Shaik trial as a black spot on the image of your office, especially in relation to the moral regeneration programme?"

Zuma replied: "I do not look at it that way at all."

The DA wasn't done, though. MP Willem Doman began his question: "In view of the fact that your integrity and lifestyle have been seriously impugned and questioned in a court ... " but the Speaker reminded him of her ruling.

He began again: "In the light of recent problems, do you not think it would be appropriate to lay aside the burden of the leadership of the moral generation movement until the matter before the court has been resolved one way or the other?"

Goniwe objected to MPs seemingly repeatedly defying the Speaker's ruling that such questions were out of order.

Indeed, the Speaker decided, she would simply "ignore the fact that (Doman) has asked any question".

Goniwe felt more needed to be said: "We have before the House the Deputy President of the country, we have hauled him (away) from important business to come and answer questions. Could you appeal to the DA to accord this House the decorum it deserves?"

The Opposition was exasperated.

Somewhere from the floor was a pointed interjection. Andries Nel, the ANC's deputy Chief Whip, was sure it was DA veteran Dene Smuts who shouted: "Skande", and he drew the Speaker's attention to it.

Baleka Mbete asked Smuts outright if she'd said it, and she said, no, she hadn't. Well, the Speaker said, "we have to take her at her word".

And so, more or less, ended parliament's bid to hold the Deputy President to account.

Someone shouted "skande", the record will surely show. But if none did after all, many would argue that someone ought to have.

With acknowledgements to Michael Morris and the Cape Argus.