East London: Deputy President Jacob Zuma said yesterday the media had treated him in a "grossly unfair" way and used the Schabir Shaik trial for political reasons.

Zuma told business and political leaders at a city hall breakfast in East London that he had been tried and convicted by the media.

"The manner in which this has been dealt with has been grossly unfair," Zuma said.

"The media have used this case for political reasons. Every time they talked about the case, they talked about the problem of politics."

He said he had never been given a chance to answer the charges against him.

Zuma's future in politics hangs in the balance following the conviction on fraud and corruption charges of his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik.

The court found that Shaik had had a "generally corrupt" relationship with Zuma.

In August 2003, Bulelani Ngcuka, then head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said although the NPA had "prima facie" evidence against Zuma, he would not be prosecuted as it would be impossible to win the case.

Zuma said yesterday: "As you know I've been avoiding this matter because it has been in court. I felt the media has been very unfair and the media has conducted a trial outside court," he said.

Zuma is in the Eastern Cape on a two-day imbizo aimed at getting opinions on government's failures and successes from ordinary citizens.

A group of women singing "they are telling lies about you" greeted Zuma at Keiskammahoek. "We will tell (President) Thabo (Mbeki)", the women sang in Xhosa.

About 200 people waited for Zuma as a strong, icy wind blew.

Mohammed Yusuf Malik, a 24-year-old man from Keiskammahoek, said he was keen to see corrupt politicians face the wrath of the law.

"They are wrong for lying... all of them. I have no trust for the ANC. All we can trust is God," he said.

Another man, Joseph Hele, 44, said Zuma was in on it and if there was evidence "they should all face one joint judgment".

Zuma was accompanied by Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Premier Nosimo Balindlela.

With acknowledgements to Stuart Graham and the Cape Times.