An indictment served on ANC president Jacob Zuma was a continued violation of his human rights, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Saturday.

"The Congress of South African Trade Unions strongly condemns the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) who yesterday [Friday], December 28 2007, served the ANC President, Jacob Zuma, with an indictment to stand trial on the August 14, 2008 for allegations of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money-laundering.

"It is clear that Jacob Zuma's human rights, including the right to a speedy and fair trial, have been systematically and grossly violated," the union said in a statement.

The timing of the indictment had the "hallmarks of vengeance, deep seated anger and frustration by the NPA and whoever else is behind this".

"The only reason to serve the indictment during this period, for a trial that will only commence eight months from now, is that those behind this move aim to disrupt his well deserved rest," Cosatu said.

This reinforced the union's belief that the graft probe against the president was a "politically inspired campaign" using state institutions to settle "factional" disputes within the ruling party.

"We are convinced that Jacob Zuma will not have a fair trial. We are in full support of his lawyer's decision to apply for permanent stay of prosecution."

Cosatu demanded a full investigation into the arms deal and for the charges against Zuma to be dropped.

Zuma is alleged to have benefited from private payments made via his financial adviser convicted fraudster, Schabir Shaik, who had been involved in negotiations of a state arms deal.

His lawyer, Michael Hulley on Friday confirmed that Zuma was served with an indictment to stand trial in the High Court on various counts of racketeering, money laundering, corruption and fraud.

The union also demanded an investigation into the "hoax email" saga revealing a plot against Jacob Zuma, the "unsatisfactory handling of the former leadership of the 'special browse mole consolidated report' which originates from NPA" and the suspension of the NPA Director Advocate Vusi Pikoli.

Cosatu was in consultation with its affiliates how to respond to what it described as the "political prosecution" of the ruling party president.

"Workers will not allow the NPA and whoever is handling them to abuse its powers in this manner. We are more convinced than ever that South Africa faces a major constitutional crisis *2."*

It called on the ANC and its allies to "rally around" their president and for the party's new National Executive Committee to discuss the matter.

The indictment served on Zuma comes barely two weeks after he trounced former ANC and current state president Thabo Mbeki in the race for the ruling party's top job at its 52nd National Conference in Polokwane.

The succession battle divided the party between supporters of the two men and calls for unity emerged strongly at the conference after its new leadership was elected.

"Cosatu's call for unity following the ANC conference does not mean we will tolerate the kind of machinations that were the hallmarks of the previous period. We demand an end to all these acts that left the ANC so divided in the run-up to its 52nd national conference."

With acknowledgement to Sapa.