Sidestepping calls for him to quit, Deputy President Jacob Zuma yesterday neatly rounded on opposition MPs and the media for violating the constitution and persecuting those not charged with a crime.

Appearing in parliament minutes after Schabir Shaik was sentenced to 15 years in jail for corruption and fraud, the embattled Zuma smiled broadly and clasped his hands in thanks as he received a standing ovation from ANC backbenchers.

ANC MPs applauded and adapted the classic struggle song: "Uzuma wethu somlandela noma singaboshwa" translated from Zulu as "Zuma is ours, we will follow him even if we get arrested".

Of the executive, only Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula and a handful of deputy ministers were present when Zuma arrived. They did not join their comrades in song and dance.

Several ministers and deputy ministers entered later, including Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla and Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya.

Zuma eased gently into proceedings in the house with a sweet-heart question from ANC MP Patrick Maloyi about the Freedom Charter. However, his reply gave DA chief whip Douglas Gibson the gap to ask a follow-up about whether he would resign.

Addressing Zuma in his capacity as acting president, Gibson said: "It seems clear that the high ideals of the Freedom Charter and the Constitution of South Africa and our code of ethics have been dishonoured and subverted by your involvement in corruption."

The Speaker, Baleka Mbete, however, would have none of it.

"I have received your application for a substantive motion (of no confidence in Zuma) which I am busy attending to. I am not allowing you to use this opportunity to sneak these issues through the back door."

Gibson ignored the ruling and asked: "Will you resign as deputy president?"

Again ruled out of order, Gibson, supported by DA MP Mike Ellis, unsuccessfully tried to challenge Mbete's ruling, but was unsuccessful.

However, DA leader Tony Leon had a fraud of another nature on his mind. Referring to the oilgate scandal, Leon borrowed from the late chief justice Ismail Mohamed's views - quoted by Judge Hilary Squires earlier in the day - "that when a government condones corruption, it is in effect denying the human rights of its citizens".

"Does the honourable deputy president agree with it... does he approve or disapprove?" Leon asked.

Referring to the fact that Skweyiya and minerals and energy minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka have been drawn into the scandal, Leon also asked whether Zuma would take action against those who may have been guilty of taking proceeds "indirectly or directly".

To cheers, Zuma shot back: "This government has been the first government in this country to wage a war against corruption. Never in the past was there any government who did that."

In reply to Freedom Front Plus MP Dr Corné Mulder, who has lodged a complaint about "Oilgate" with the public protector, Zuma pledged that the government would co-operate with any investigation on the matter.

But it was thanks to UDM deputy president Malizole Diko that Zuma was able to answer his critics, albeit indirectly.

Quoting Zuma at an anti-corruption summit in 1999, Diko said, "there is a need to continuously send a message to those who thrive on corruption that we have the will to deal with it decisively".

Zuma replied, echoing his supporters: "If you are in a country that has a constitution... you have to follow it... (an) investigation is made, you are taken to court and... you must have a chance to respond to the allegations that have been put before you and... you are innocent until proven guilty."

Gibson interrupted asking Mbete to rule against Zuma in the same way as she had done against him "as the deputy president is now anticipating what may be on the order paper".

Mbete replied, deadpan: "I'm not aware that this is the issue the deputy president is dealing with... I do not know what you are referring to." Zuma may not have had his day in court, but he and his supporters knew he had had his day in parliament.

With acknowledgements to Angela Quintal and the Cape Times.