Jacob Zuma should step aside from the leadership of the African National Congress until his corruption case has been resolved, United Democratic Movement president Bantu Holomisa said on Monday.

"Mr Zuma must suspend himself or the [ANC] national executive committee should force him to take leave," Holomisa told Sapa.

"That would restore confidence in our democracy."

The NEC is meeting in Johannesburg on Monday to discuss among other things, the charges against Zuma, who was last month elected president of the party.

Holomisa said the NEC should understand that the charges were a sequel to an arms deal inquiry conducted by four state agencies, and ordered by an ANC government.

That inquiry had indicated that charges would follow, and its findings were endorsed by Parliament.

For Zuma to now hand over the party reins to his deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, would signal that both he and the NEC were serious in the fight against corruption.

"They have to lead by example," he said.

Holomisa also said the NEC would fail South Africa if it did not call for a judicial inquiry into the arms deal *1.

"This arms deal is eating into the body politic of South Africa like a cancerous tumour," he said.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.