Time meant to be devoted to running the country will be wasted in court if ANC front-runner Jacob Zuma becomes South Africa's next president, a political analyst said outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday.

"One only hopes for a speedy resolution of this case. If it continues to drag on, it will take alot of energy away from Mr Zuma and his group [when they should be] devoting their time to the affairs of the state, and it's not a good thing," Professor Ufo Okeke Uzodike told journalists.

In the likely event of Zuma's becoming president, it would not be positive for the country if he spent a "substantial" amount of time in court.

Zuma's trial could take place if his motion for a permanent stay of prosecution, to be made on August 25, failed.

This meant he would face his court cases after the election, which the ANC was expected to win.

Uzodike said Zuma was not the only president to appear in court.

"It's quite common for such high-profile political heads to be having legal battles.

"Whether it would be embarrassing for South Africa depends on what happens in court," he said.

With acknowledgements to Sapa.