The African National Congress working committee has taken note of "speculative and sensationalist" media reports arising from the conviction of Deputy President Jacob Zuma's former financial adviser, the ANC said on Tuesday.

It said that during a fortnightly meeting of the committee on Monday, it reaffirmed the ANC's position that the law must be allowed to take its course, and due legal process respected.

It also expressed its support for the approach taken by government on the matter, said ANC spokesman Smuts Ngonyama.

"The ANC remains committed to the principle of due process. The organisation will not be diverted from this position simply because some commentators and sections of the media have found themselves caught up in a frenzy around this issue."

Last week Judge Hilary Squires found Zuma's former financial adviser Schabir Shaik guilty of fraud and corruption.

He also found that the relationship between Zuma and Shaik was "generally corrupt".

The judgment, delivered in the Durban High Court, has sparked numerous calls from opposition parties and others for Zuma to quit or be fired.

On Monday, government spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe said President Thabo Mbeki would tell the public what his plans were for Zuma when he returned from a state visit to Chile.

"The president has indicated that as soon as practicable after his return from the state visit to Chile, he will communicate to the public any decisions that he will have taken on the matter," Netshitenzhe said.

He said Zuma had been informed accordingly.

Netshitenzhe said Mbeki was studying the judgment to form a comprehensive view on its legal and political implications for the government.

"Further, the president is awaiting the completion of the legal process in the Durban case before determining the course of action to follow," he said.

"In the meantime, 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.

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

Both Mbeki and Zuma attended the working committee meeting at the ANC's headquarters in Johannesburg on Monday, before Mbeki's departure.

ANC spokesman Smuts Ngonyama told reporters outside the building the party would not brief the media until it had completed studying the judgment.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.