As President Thabo Mbeki lashed out at corruption within ANC ranks yesterday, Jacob Zuma enthusiastically gave his backing to the president's strong words.

Mbeki identified the party's branches as "our front-line fighters against corruption, to ensure that nobody uses his or her position in government to steal from the people to line their pockets, for instance by giving contracts to their friends in return for kickbacks". Speaking to The Mercury, Zuma, who goes on trial for corruption later this year and who is also facing a charge of rape, said the ANC president "was speaking to all of us".

"I think that is what the ANC needs.

"All of us to serve the people honestly, effectively and I think that's the message that the president was putting across. I think this is what the ANC has always said," Zuma said from the VIP suite at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town as Mbeki launched the ANC's local government manifesto.

The embattled ANC deputy president was not part of formal proceedings on Sunday. Last month, after Zuma first appeared in court on a rape charge, the ANC national working committee barred him from participating in ANC activities or speaking in his capacity as its deputy president.

However, last week both the ANC's Secretary-General, Kgalema Motlanthe, and Deputy Secretary-General, Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele, confirmed Zuma would be on the ANC campaign trail for the March 1 local government elections.

An upbeat Zuma, who signed autographs from his seat in the VIP box on Sunday, said he was looking forward to participating in the ANC's campaign.

He confirmed that he would be campaigning "throughout the country". When pressed on the exact role of his participation in the campaign he said: "As usual campaigning and to appeal to people to vote for the ANC. That's the main thing in campaigning, not so?"

He also said that one "can't campaign without talking" and that normal ANC members "go door to door, visit people, talk to people. We do more contact with the people." Zuma is expected to defend himself against two counts of corruption on July 31. However, he will first appear on a rape charge next month. He is currently out on R20 000 bail. Zuma, who leaves Cape Town for Durban on Monday, gave his approval of the day's events.

"I think the activities were deserving of the day and the size of the organisation."

The president's speech highlighted a code of conduct to be undertaken by all councillors which forces them to live in the wards they represent. Included in the manifesto he launched are ambitious promises of improved provision of services.

"Over the next five years government will invest more than R400 billion in infrastructure to create jobs and fight poverty." Mbeki's promise comes after a series of tender scandals in Cape Town and corruption problems elsewhere. The ANC's election manifesto, dubbed "a plan to make local government work for you", takes a strong stance against corruption at municipal level.

"In some areas councillors and officials have done wrong things serving their own personal interests rather than the interests of the communities."

Speaking to a high-spirited crowd of 25 000 at Athlone Stadium, Mbeki said all ANC candidates would have to swear to uphold a "code of conduct" oath committing them to the fight against corruption. This oath, which will be displayed in the offices of ANC representatives, states: "I will fight against corruption in any guise or form." It also states that a councillor will be elected as a representative of the community "without motives of material advantage or personal gain".

Mbeki's statement that all ward councillors must live in the area they represent was met with cheers from the crowd. "Councillors must remain accountable to the people who elected them." Mbeki said 2006 was "the year of mobilisation for people's power through local government".

"The ANC will ensure more resources and trained personnel are provided for local government."

In the manifesto, the ANC said it had identified municipalities needing 'hands-on support'.

"We will intervene to ensure that councils work better and are accountable to the community."

After months of protest about lack of services and corrupt officials, the ANC promised to improve interaction between communities and their elected representatives. "The ANC will strengthen popular participation by making ward committees more effective. We will resolutely fight laziness, arrogance and corruption."

Mbeki said the expanded Public Works programme would ensure communities benefited from improved water, health and sanitation services.

"By 2007, no one will be using the bucket system," said Mbeki. He promised that all communities would have clean water and sanitation by 2010, electricity by 2012 and the universal provision of free basic services. Mbeki also called for improved service at hospitals, clinics and police stations. Other parties are expected to release their manifestos this week.

With acknowledgements to Linda Daniels, Anel Powell and The Mercury.