The decision to fire Jacob Zuma as the country's deputy president was correct, the ANC said yesterday.

"The ANC accepts and supports the decision of President Thabo Mbeki to release Deputy President Jacob Zuma from his duties in government following due consideration of the ruling in the Shaik trial," said ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe.

The ANC had noted the comments by Mr Justice Hilary Squires regarding the incorrect attribution to him of the phrase "a generally corrupt relationship" relating to that between bu-sinessman Schabir Shaik and Zuma.

Squires jailed Shaik for 15 years after convicting him of corruption and fraud, a ruling upheld by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).

Motlanthe said: "This issue once again highlights the need for all members of society to respect the judiciary and pay due attention to its rulings.

"It should strengthen our collective resolve to uphold and defend important judicial principles, including equality before the law, the presumption of innocence, and the right of appeal."

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla said it would not be the job of the Ministry of Justice to inquire into the credibility of the SCA judges. This followed the SA Communist Party's call for the Chief Justice to institute a "thorough and public investigation" into circumstances around the SCA's ruling last week.

Mabandla said that the procedure to deal with an alleged impropriety of a judge involved the Judicial Services Commission holding an inquiry into a complaint and sending its finding to parliament.

"If parliament supports (it) with a two-thirds majority, the judge may then be removed." 

With acknowledgements to Sapa and Cape Argus.