As crack investigators from the elite Scorpions unit scoured former deputy president Jacob Zuma's homes in Johannesburg and Zululand yesterday, messages of support were pouring in to a website which has been set up by Zuma's supporters.

The "Friends of Jacob Zuma" website was launched on Tuesday as part of a trust headed by KwaZulu-Natal businessman, Don Mkhwanazi, to enable Zuma's supporters to send messages of encouragement. By last night, many people had visited the website, which also has an SMS number and an account number that people can use to donate money.

According to its mission statement, which spells out in detail why the trust was set up, the fundraising campaign is aimed at helping Zuma with his legal costs as well as to support him "during this difficult time".

The website contains Zuma's biography, trial updates, photo gallery, information about the trust and messages of support.

Predictably, most of the messages are from Zuma's supporters and are a tad emotional, with "comrades" promising to lay down their lives for "Msholozi" (Zuma's clan name). However, there is an odd one which urges Zuma to "deal with the problems he has created".

"Msholozi, you will never walk alone! We the people, will ensure that this man of honour, who dedicated his life to liberating us, will finally have the right to defend himself," says Busisiwe Dlamini.

The website's address is www.friendsofjz.co.za

With acknowledgements to Bheko Madlala and the Daily News.