President Thabo Mbeki is sticking to his guns concerning his decision to dismiss former Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

During question time in the national assembly on Thursday, he repeated that the reasons he had given in parliament in June for axing Zuma still applied and that he would not be reinstating the ANC deputy president.

Nor would he be instructing the National Prosecuting Authority to withdraw its case against Zuma, as urged by Cosatu's central executive committee.

Regarding Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, he told the assembly that she was a "very grown-up girl" and did not need "any protective measures" to ensure she was respected.

The government respected the right of South Africans to express their views "as some had indeed done", he said.

Mbeki appeared to be referring to incidents in which Mlambo-Ngcuka was booed by supporters of her predecessor, Zuma, as well as calls from Cosatu that he should reinstate Zuma.

This was in response to a question from ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe on what measures the presidency was taking to ensure that Mlambo-Ngcuka was accorded the "proper respect she deserves".

"I am very firmly of the view that the honourable deputy president does not need any particular protective measures.

"I think she is a very grown-up girl," he said to applause and laughter from the ruling party benches and a smile from Mlambo-Ngcuka herself.

Mbeki also rejected DA leader Tony Leon's view that the Zuma controversy was affecting the performance of cabinet ministers.

"The government continues to function properly and we continue to work as government," said Mbeki.

"This particular controversy has not impacted on government whatsoever."

In response to Leon's quest for an assurance that Mbeki's proposed alliance commission of inquiry into a political plot against Zuma would not involve taxpayers' money, Mbeki said he had not called for a judicial commission of inquiry "and therefore the matter does not arise, does it".

Replying to a question from Freedom Front leader Pieter Mulder on the high salaries of municipal managers, some of whom were paid more than the president, Mbeki acknowledged there was a need to look into the issue.

However, this needed to be done in the context of local government finances in general, including the remuneration of municipal councillors.

The president noted, however, that there was an obvious challenge, particularly in rural areas, to retain skilled personnel.

DA MP Willem Doman asked the president whether the government would consider employing those who had lost their positions in local government but had the necessary qualifications and experience.

Mbeki acknowledged that if these people existed they should be approached.

Present in the government benches were a number of MPs who crossed the floor to the ANC, including former NNP leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk, as well as former NNP MPs Carol Johnson and Francois Beukman.

Also in the back benches of the ANC were two new floor crossers, former ACDP MPs Mighty Madasa and Selby Khumalo.

With acknowledgments to Angela Quintal and The Mercury.