The ANC has turned its back on the Scorpions to join its alliance partners in condemning last week's raids on former Deputy President Jacob Zuma's homes.

Until last night, the party had held itself aloof from the growing chorus emanating from Cosatu, the South African Communist Party and the ANC Youth League in condemning the raids by flak-jacket-clad officers wielding assault rifles.

But it assented to a joint alliance statement, which included the South African National Civics Organisation, after a Wednesday night meeting to say it "disapproves of the high-handed search and seizure operations", which included swoops on Zuma's lawyers' offices.

The statement follows weekend calls by the Young Communists League, the ANC Youth League, the South African Students' Congress that the ANC stand by Zuma who remains the party's deputy president.

ANC MP and struggle stalwart Andrew Mlangeni also stood up in parliament on Tuesday to "condemn the manner in which the Scorpions raided certain residences in relation to the investigation" on Zuma. The sensationalism "criminalises the ANC deputy president even before he gets a chance to appear before a court of law", he said.

Last night's alliance statement means National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli and the Scorpions look increasingly isolated from support in political circles.

Calls have been made for the Scorpions to be absorbed into the police, although its supporters say it is their effectiveness, rather than their lack of respect, that has created their enemies.

Pikoli's predecessor, Bulelani Ngcuka, resigned citing unacceptable pressure on his professional and family life.

Although Pikoli remained adamant during a press conference on Wednesday that the searches were legal, he conceded that the raids might have been a bit over the top.

"What happened was regrettable. Perhaps things could have been done differently, but this is the first time that we have had a case of this nature involving a person of the stature of the (former) deputy president," he said.

The alliance said on Thursday night that it stood by Zuma, President Thabo Mbeki and Zuma's successor, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

Zuma enjoyed "the full and unreserved support of the alliance and each of its component organisations", it said.

"In this regard, the meeting also agreed that the president and the deputy president of the republic must be accorded respect and be supported as leaders of our country," it added.

Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille said the tendency of the Scorpions to embark on raids armed with assault rifles was unnecessary. She said law enforcers should be armed so heavily only when they were going into combat.

But she did not believe the latest furore would result in Pikoli's resignation, saying he appeared to be weathering the storm quite well.

Democratic Alliance MP Helen Zille described as "outrageous" a tripartite alliance suggestion that Zuma's lawyers seek funding from the government for his defence.

"Mr Zuma is on trial for alleged criminal offences, not for problems that arose through carrying out his official duties. It would therefore be completely wrong and improper for taxpayers to bankroll his legal fees for the trial," she said.

The justice ministry said Zuma would have to seek support from the Legal Aid Board, which was unavailable for comment on Thursday night.

The alliance was perturbed by the way in which the raids were carried out.

It said: "This is inconsistent with the NPA Act, which urges that the Scorpions must perform its duties fearlessly but with sensitivity to privacy and the dignity of the affected persons."

De Lille said she shared the alliance's concerns about the way news of the raids seemed to have been leaked to the press.

Pikoli blamed the leak on a member of Schabir Shaik's family.

With acknowledgements to Alameen Templeton and The Mercury.