Installed the fix and it works GREAT ...
We were at kernel level 2.6.18.92.el5
The hot fix moved us to kernel level 2.6.18-92.1.30.el5
The problem is now gone !!!! and a system with bonded interfaces (rh5.2) can shutdown now when told to do so ...
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server release 5.2 (Tikanga)
Thank you Red Hat ...
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem
described in this bug report. This report is therefore being
closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information
on therefore solution and/or where to find the updated files,
please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report
if the solution does not work for you.
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2009-1672.html