Pretoria: Cosatu's controversial resolutions about Jacob Zuma fell on deaf ears in the cabinet yesterday, although the ANC is set to meet the trade union federation this week to counter any possible fallout that may destabilise its election campaign.

This follows calls by Cosatu's central committee for President Thabo Mbeki to reinstate Zuma as South African deputy president and intervene to stop his being prosecuted on corruption charges.

The central committee - the highest decision-making body between conferences - has been meeting in Johannesburg since Monday.

The government and the ANC trod carefully yesterday, mindful not to agitate Cosatu's more militant affiliates, given that the ruling party needs the federation's machinery to ensure a resounding victory in local government elections.

It also appeared that ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe - the only senior ANC leader who has Zuma and Cosatu's ears - might try to persuade Zuma to convince the labour federation to drop its demands.

Motlanthe said he had not yet spoken to Zuma. He confirmed that he would also meet Cosatu leaders this week.

"We respect their resolution," he said. "We will take the first opportunity to meet them and try to understand better the practical implications (of the resolution).

"The first point on matters of prosecution is that it is not the duty of the president or the minister of justice to decide who must be charged.

"That is the prerogative of the National Prosecuting Authority." Motlanthe also repeated the government's position that Mbeki had "applied his mind" when he fired Zuma, exercising his constitutional prerogative.

He also suggested that there was another route open to Cosatu should Zuma ultimately be found guilty of corruption.

It could request a presidential pardon for Zuma.

"Normally heads of government are petitioned after sentencing ... (Cosatu) has a right to petition (the president) after judicial processes have taken place. As a mass democratic movement, we also petitioned former presidents when our MK cadres faced the death sentence."

Zuma was charged with corruption soon after the Durban High Court found a "generally corrupt relationship" with his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik.

The cabinet yesterday debated whether to "dignify" Cosatu's resolutions with a reply.

Government spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe said yesterday: "We hope no one is calling on the president to break the law, to trash the constitution, to undermine our young democracy, because that the president will not agree to."

The government would react comprehensively as soon as it received "a formal submission" from Cosatu.

However, it was clear yesterday that the government had already made up its mind.

The government would be guided in its response by "the supreme law of our land, the constitution", Netshitenzhe said.

The Democratic Alliance's Sheila Camerer urged Mbeki to "reassure the nation that the governing party's alliance partner, Cosatu, does not reflect the ANC's position".

Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille said Cosatu's example flew in the face of the constitution and judicial independence.

The message Cosatu was sending was that "some are more equal than others", she said.

Meanwhile, some of Cosatu's senior leaders have privately acknowledged that they were "embarrassed" by the central committee resolutions.

Cosatu's leaders have largely maintained a moderate form of support for Zuma - ranging from pronouncements that he was innocent until proven guilty, and that he must have his day in court to clear his name.

With acknowledgements to Moshoeshoe Monare and the Cape Tiems .