South Africa's prosecuting chief on Sunday denied claims that President Thabo Mbeki was behind the filing of a string of charges against his rival Jacob Zuma, the new leader of the ruling ANC.

Allies of Zuma, elected president of the African National Congress (ANC) earlier this month, have alleged that the decision to charge Zuma with corruption, fraud, racketeering and money-laundering was politically motivated.

But Mokeketedi Mpshe, the acting director of public prosecutions, told a newspaper that the decision to formally charge Zuma on Friday for a trial due to begin in August 2008 was made independently.

"It's got nothing to do with the president," he told the Sunday Independent.

"It's absolute nonsense. (Mbeki) does not even know we were going to charge (Zuma) or what we were going to charge him with." Zuma's victory over Mbeki in a recent ANC leadership contest has fuelled fears that South Africa is facing a lengthy period of political infighting between two rival centres of power before Mbeki stands down as head of state in 2009.

Zuma was sacked by Mbeki in 2005 after his financial advisor was found guility of solicting bribes on his behalf.

The ANC Youth League (ANCYL), one of Zuma's main backers in the leadership contest, directly accused Mbeki on Saturday of being a "behind the scenes player" in the decision to charge Zuma after a lengthy investigation.

Zuma has said he will stand down from the ANC if found guilty of any offence but he has steadfastly insisted on his innocence.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.