In what is likely to be a dramatic six weeks ahead, Cosatu will seek the support of its alliance partners before formalising its members' radical demands over Jacob Zuma, the former deputy president.

Zuma's trial on two counts of corruption is due to start on October 11, just over six weeks from now. Cosatu has threatened to bring the country to a standstill with "revolutionary protests" on court dates.

In a bizarre week, Cosatu's central committee overruled a toned-down executive draft resolution over Zuma during an emotional debate, insisting on his reinstatement as deputy president and the withdrawal of criminal charges. Tensions rose even further when, on Thursday, the Scorpions raided Zuma's homes, as well as the offices and residences of his lawyer and acquaintances.

On Friday Paul Notyhawa, a Cosatu spokesperson, called for calm as warnings of election boycotting, KwaZulu-Natal turning into a no-go area for cabinet members, and general protests started circulating in the wake of anger over the raid.

"It is the task of everybody to stay calm. We don't want any superheroes. People must wait for orders," he said, adding that, while urgent meetings were being sought, "nobody should anticipate the outcome by doing things."

His statements followed a warning by Zwelinzima Vavi, the Cosatu general secretary, that "the political prosecution of Jacob Zuma risks plunging our new democracy into turmoil".

Reading a statement, which condemned the raids on Zuma, Vavi said: "It has already begun to divide our movement."

Behind the scenes, leaders of both Cosatu and its alliance partner, the South African Communist Party, were seeking an urgent meeting of the alliance secretariat, while Cosatu's central committee members were instructed to explain the outcome of the meeting to workers and seek further mandates.

The government said it would respond once it had received a formal demand from Cosatu, but would be guided by the constitution when doing so.

Joel Netshitenzhe, the chief government spokesperson, said: "We hope that no one is calling on the president to break the law, trash the constitution and undermine our young democracy, because that is something the president will never do."

Notyhawa said: "By the time Zuma goes to court on the 11th, everything must have been done, because we resolved that every time he goes to court there should be revolutionary protests. But in meantime, we must exhaust all directives to resolve the matter through the executive. You can't just bring a country to standstill if all avenues [of discussion] are not exhausted."

From tomorrow, Cosatu's central committee delegates will inform the larger Cosatu membership about their radical demands.

"Remember we are mass-based and act on mandates and on directives of our constituencies, which we dare not leave behind," said Notyhawa.

"Because it so happens that at this time, the [ANC] leaders have moved away from the masses, with the left hand not communicating with the right hand. This is problematic. The masses should not be left behind. People get angry when they feel they are repressed and not listened to. But talking is therapy."

With acknowledgements to Christelle Terreblanche and The Sunday Independent.