If you've installed a different version of python via yum using pyvault repos, then you need to switch the default python back to the systems default to avoid problems with the OS packages.
Install the alternatives first:
# alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python2.3 100
# alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python2.4 24where 100 and 24 are the priority numbers (Higher number prevailing).
Remove existing symlinks:
# rm /usr/bin/pythonConfigure the default:
# alternatives --config pythonOr, set it to create automatically, which will use the highest priority:
# alternatives --auto pythonCheck with:
$ python -V