Johannesburg - The Congress Of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) on Wednesday expressed concern that leaks to the media on the charges against Schabir Shaik, and allegations that deputy president Jacob Zuma accepted bribes to advance the business interests of the accused has all the hallmarks of the 2003 systematic political attacks on the deputy president.

Cosatu said that the constant leaks to the media by the Scorpions of the charges is unprecedented and suggests a deliberate strategy to put not Shabir Schaik but Zuma on trial through the media.

"It seems someone within the Scorpions is hell-bent on discrediting Jacob Zuma and attacking his integrity, despite that fact that he has not been charged and is not to be charged. Yet he is being tried in the media where he does not have an opportunity to clear his name," Cosatu said in a statement.

The trade union added that the pattern of the leaks is very interesting and claimed that every time there is a major political event, the Scorpions leak damaging information to try to discredit Zuma.

"This time it seems that the latest leaks have to do with renewed speculation on who will succeed President Thabo Mbeki at the ANC''s 2007 National Conference." Cosatu said in raising this concern it is not suggesting that it condones acts of corruption. "Indeed, if there is evidence that the Deputy President is corrupt, then like anyone else, he must be charged in court, where he will have the opportunity to defend himself."

With acknowledgements to Thabang Mokopanele and News24.