Johannesburg: The ANC's leadership has reached a compromise agreement that the party's presidency, including President Thabo Mbeki, collectively carry responsibility for what the party has acknowledged has been its most serious challenge since it came to power in 1994.

This follows a failed attempt to persuade the country's former deputy president, Jacob Zuma, to take personal responsibility.

Zuma withstood tremendous pressure from top ANC office-bearers last week for him to shoulder responsibility for the rebellion among the party's rank and file for what they perceive as having been unfair treatment of the ANC deputy president.

In an attempt to minimise tension and avert embarrassment at the national executive committee meeting last Monday, Mbeki met Zuma last Sunday to find a compromise.

Mbeki wanted Zuma's impending trial on corruption charges and its volatile impact to be discussed at the last national executive committee meeting of the year in November, but Zuma would not budge and insisted that it should be done at this weekend's meeting.

On Monday, during a meeting of ANC top office-bearers, Zuma was asked to calm ill-disciplined members who were using his name to engage in activities that were bringing the party into disrepute.

In a frank assessment of how his being implicated in corruption had divided the ANC, Zuma was told to visit structures around the country to contain the volatility in the party.

He was reminded that there was a possibility that he could be convicted and jailed - and that the ANC did not have control over the judiciary or the prosecution authority.

It was also put to Zuma that his situation had given the opportunity to corrupt ANC members, who were seizing the advantage of a campaign to support him to defend themselves and garner sympathy.

Zuma was also reminded that senior leaders should set an example when allegations were made against them and should do the honourable thing and resign. Had he done that, they said, the situation could have been better contained.

Zuma, however, reacted angrily and accused the office-bearers of holding him solely responsible for the ANC's internal problems.

He argued that the grass-roots anger over his trial was a fuse in a political time bomb likely to explode if not handled with care.

The roping in of Mbeki to take collective responsibility - as contained in his joint presentation with Zuma during this weekend's national executive committee meeting - was a middle ground for the two men.

It is viewed as a victory for Mbeki's supporters since Zuma has been compelled to respect the rule of law, tacitly meaning he will stop referring to the trial as politically muddied.

It is also a victory for Zuma's lobbyists for compelling the ANC and its presidency - which has been for ever silent - to accept collective responsibility and ensure state resources are not used for personal agendas.

Blade Nzimande and Zwelinzima Vavi, general secretaries of the SA Communist Party and Cosatu have welcomed the truce. Nzimande, who is also an ANC national executive committee member, said this confirmed what the ANC's national general council had wanted in July - "(seeing) this as a broader political problem that needs a political approach".

Mbeki and Zuma gave a carefully drafted presentation that covered each of their concerns:

While emphasising respect for the rule of law, it warned against state resources being used to fight personal agendas - an allegation that had been made by Zuma supporters.

Zuma's supporters were told "no one should use the name of the president or deputy president to mobilise for or against either".

It said although it was understood Zuma's supporters were angry and in pain, they should use constitutional structures to vent their emotions.

Mbeki and Zuma agreed to rise "above the fray" and find mature ways, including talking to each other, of dealing with the challenges.

The national executive committee endorsed Mbeki's proposal that an inquiry be appointed to establish if there was a political agenda behind the charges against Zuma. Cosatu and the SACP have rejected the idea.

With acknowledgements to Moshoeshoe Monare and the Cape Times.