South African President Thabo Mbeki has dismissed his deputy, who had been caught up in a corruption scandal.
Deputy President Jacob Zuma had been expected to take over from Mr Mbeki when he stands down from office in 2009.
Although Mr Zuma has not been charged with an offence, a high court judge this month ruled that he had a "generally corrupt" relationship with his financial adviser.
"I have come to the conclusion that the circumstances dictate that in the interest of the honorable deputy president, the government, our young democratic system, and our country, it would be best to release the honorable Jacob Zuma from his responsibilities as deputy president of the republic and member of the Cabinet," Mr Mbeki told a special joint session of Parliament.
Mr Zuma's longtime friend and adviser, Schabir Shaik, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption and fraud this month. The court found that Shaik made payments to Mr Zuma totalling 1.2 million rands (US$178,000) in violation of anti-corruption legislation to fund a lavish lifestyle.
Following Shaik's conviction, the National Prosecuting Authority has said it is considering opening a new investigation against Mr Zuma, after saying in 2003 that a case against him was "unwinnable".
Mr Mbeki, who has repeatedly pledged to stamp out corruption, said that he continued to hold Zuma in "high regard".
