"The president appointed the task team to investigate every aspect of the failure of delivery of learners' textbooks in the Limpopo province," it said in a statement.

"He is studying the report and has urged the task team to continue and conclude its work without any further delay. President Zuma will pronounce on the report once the matter has been concluded."

African National Congress secretary general Gwede Mantashe said on Monday that the late delivery was a "serious failure" by the government.

He said all task teams investigating the saga needed to reconcile their reports to the presidential task team.

"That final report should be the basis for any action to be taken, including action against any person found guilty of any misdemeanour," Mantashe said.

Many organisations and people, including the African National Congress Youth League and the Congress of SA Trade Unions, held Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga responsible for the saga and had called for her axing.

Former education director general Mary Metcalfe compiled a report on the matter, in response to the department's assertion that 98% of textbooks were delivered to Limpopo schools, after they had been waiting to receive them for the past seven months.

It found that despite the extended date for delivery of textbooks, June 27, the department's assertion that 98% of the books were delivered was incorrect.