In a move that has been unanimously hailed by opposition parties, President Thabo Mbeki ended the speculation surrounding the fate of Deputy President Jacob Zuma when he gave Zuma his marching orders on Tuesday.

In a brief, sombre address to a joint sitting of Parliament, Mbeki announced that he has "released'' Zuma from his responsibilities as deputy president and member of the Cabinet.

He said he will "in due course'' make an announcement on the necessary changes to his Cabinet to fill the void left by Zuma.

By late on Tuesday, the corridors of Parliament were once again feverish with speculation - this time about Zuma's successor. A likely candidate is ANC national chairman Mosiuoa Lekota, while Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, Foreign Affairs Minister - and former wife of Zuma - Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka could also be in the running.

At a press conference following Mbeki's announcement, Zuma - who was absent from Parliament when Mbeki made his announcement - said he had offered to resign his seat in Parliament.

Maintaining his innocence and saying he has been treated "extremely unfairly'', Zuma said he nevertheless respects Mbeki's decision. However, he took pains to point out that Mbeki's decision does not affect his position as deputy president of the ANC.

Mbeki told a packed National Assembly that, although he is aware that an appeal process is under way, he has decided to let Zuma go.

"I am fully conscious of the fact that the accused in the Schabir Shaik case have given notice of their intention to lodge an appeal. I am equally aware that a superior court may overturn the judgment handed down by Justice [Hilary] Squires.

"However, as president of the republic, I have come to the conclusion that the circumstances dictate that, in the interest of the Honourable Deputy President, the government, our young democratic system and our country, it would be best to release the Honourable Jacob Zuma from his responsibilities as Deputy President of the Republic and Member of the Cabinet,'' Mbeki said.

The president said the decision to release Zuma was not easy, particularly considering his personal history with Zuma.

"Personally, I continue to hold the Honourable Jacob Zuma in high regard, and I am convinced that this applies to most Members of Parliament. We have worked together under difficult and challenging conditions for 30 years. In this regard, I wish to thank him for the service that he has rendered as part of the executive, at national and provincial levels, sparing neither strength nor effort to ensure that with each passing day, we build a better life for all South Africans.

"I am certain that I speak on behalf of all who have served with him in Cabinet when I say that we shall remain friends, colleagues and comrades in the service of the people. And, as government, we shall continue to draw on his experience where the need arises.''

Mbeki gave insight into the considerable stress he and his advisers have been under in the past fortnight when he said during his address that the government has had "no precedent to guide us'' as they considered their response to Squires' judgment.

"We have therefore had to make our own original determination on this matter guided by what we believe is in the best interests of the Honourable Deputy President, the government, our young democratic system and our country.''

Responding to Mbeki's decision at a press conference at Tuynhuys, Zuma told journalists he accepts and respects Mbeki's pronouncement. Zuma said he has offered to resign his seat in Parliament - "not as an admission of guilt of any kind, but in order to make it easier for the ANC and government to function in Parliament.''

The deputy president stressed that Mbeki was acting in his capacity as president of the republic and not as president of the ANC. "What Mbeki has done is not what the ANC has done. It does not affect the ANC,'' Zuma said, in reference to his own position as deputy president of the ANC, which remains unaffected by the developments.

"It is not a question of me deciding whether I want to become anything in the ANC. It is the ANC who decides,'' he said.

Reiterating that his conscience is clear, Zuma said: "I have not committed any crime against the state or the people of South Africa. I, however, still maintain that I have been treated extremely unfairly throughout the entire debacle for about half a decade. *1

"Throughout this period, I did not use my position in government in any way to interfere with the due process of law *2, because I believe in, and cherish, our democracy and Constitution. I believed that organs of state and other roleplayers would be guided by the principles in our Constitution.

"But contrary to this, I have been tried by the media and in effect found guilty by a court in absentia. I have not been given an opportunity in an appropriate forum to defend myself against the allegations made.''

Zuma said he needs to be given an opportunity to tell his "side of the story'' - but did not specify when or through which platform.

"All said and done, I believe that we should put national unity and the interests of our country and nation first - whatever views people may have about the president's decision and the Durban court judgment,'' Zuma said.

"I have dedicated all my life to serving the people of this country - and to working for a better South Africa. I am determined to continue serving my country in whatever capacity and role, and remain ready to make whatever sacrifice necessary for our country.''

Zuma expressed gratitude to Mbeki for giving him the opportunity to be his deputy - "and with whom I have shared many years of comradeship and work in the struggle under very difficult conditions".

Asked what will happen to him from here, Zuma responded: "I was not born a Member of Parliament. I was not born a deputy president. I had a life before and I will go back to that life. When the moment comes, I will plan what to do.''

With acknowledgements to Susan Segar and The Natal Witness.

*1 Join the club.