Midrand : Cosatu has called for an impartial arms deal investigation, signalling that the succession battle could become dirtier as the trade union federation guns for those they believe should originally have been in the dock, instead of Jacob Zuma.

In its declaration at the close of its ninth congress yesterday, Cosatu repeated that Zuma was a victim of a political conspiracy, a view shared by the SACP, but rejected by the ANC.

"It is clear the decision to dismiss him and later charge him was motivated by a political decision, not by the existence of proof that he acted corruptly as alleged by his detractors," the declaration said.

Although there were no fingers pointed at President Thabo Mbeki yesterday, it was clear that it's now pay-back time for those alleged to have orchestrated the political conspiracy against Zuma.

Zuma said in affidavit filed in the Pietermaritzburg High Court that it was Mbeki - then deputy president - who was "very much involved in the arms deal process". He took an active interest and part in it. He engaged role-players and interested parties …". A presidential spokesman had declined to comment on Zuma's affidavit, saying then it would be prejudicial to the case before the court.

However, as the Zuma corruption case has now been struck off the roll, the sub judice rule no longer applies, unless the charges are reinstated again him.

Cosatu called for the legal moves against Zuma to be laid to rest once and for all, and for a full and impartial investigation into the arms deal.

This was part of a resolution supported by all affiliates, calling for Zuma to be reinstated as deputy president.

With acknowledgements to Angela Quintal and Cape Times.