PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma last night condemned the late distribution of textbooks in Limpopo after the education department failed to meet last week's deadline, saying there would be consequences for those responsible for the mess.

Speaking on SABC-TV, Zuma said people in the Department of Basic Education, including Minister Angie Motshekga, would have to explain why the textbooks had not been delivered six months into this year's academic programme.

Asked if there would be consequences, the president said: "Definitely, it cannot be left un-attended to - (it) is one of the serious matters. There will be consequences. We can't sit back as government when textbooks were not delivered on time."

Motshekga had promised on radio that the deadline would be met.

Zuma also said that the ANC-led government had good governance policies and laws, but that there were limitations on acting decisively against those who did not do their jobs.

"You cannot, for example, fire somebody because they are not doing their job. You will be taken to court in this country.

"You will be taken to court and the case will drag on for a long time. We need to balance democracy and decisiveness," he said.

He explained the labour processes that have to be undertaken before firing a worker, saying that firing someone was not an easy process in a democratic country like South Africa.

Zuma also said that the ANC party conference deliberated on the land issue, saying the willing buyer, willing seller approach adopted after 1994 did not work.

The president said nationali-sation was also discussed, emphasising that the country consisted of a mixed economy.