Pretoria - President Thabo Mbeki arrived back home on Thursday morning following a state visit to Chile, with no indication as to when he will announce his decision on the fate of his deputy, Jacob Zuma.

Earlier this week, government spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe said Mbeki would "communicate to the public any decisions that he will have taken on the matter" as soon as practicable after his return.

On Thursday, presidential spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said Mbeki had landed in Cape Town in the morning, and was expected to remain in the city for two days.

Asked when the president would make a statement on the Zuma matter, Khumalo said: "I really have no idea."

Zuma's financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was sentenced to an effective 15 years in jail on Wednesday after being convicted of fraud and theft involving improper financial dealings with the deputy president.

Judge Hilary Squires found that the men had had a "generally corrupt" relationship, and found Shaik guilty of soliciting a R500 000-a-year bribe for Zuma from French arms company Thomson-CSF.

Calls for Zuma to quit

Numerous opposition political parties have since called for Zuma to quit or be fired.

Netshitenzhe said on Monday Mbeki had received a copy of the judgment and would study it to form a comprehensive view of its legal and political implications for the government.

"... President Thabo Mbeki wishes to reiterate the position of government that we accept the outcome of the trial, recognising that there may be an appeal to higher courts," Netshitenzhe said at the time.

"The president and government do not only respect the rule of law, but we are fully cognizant of the constitutional obligation on the part of the president to act as the custodian of this principle."

Zuma acted as president during Mbeki's visit to Chile.

With acknowledgements to Tisha Steyn, Sapa and News24.