Johannesburg - Former deputy president Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday he was humbled by the support South Africa had given him since allegations of corruption were first levelled against him.

"I am humbled by the support of the people in the country," he told reporters on the sidelines of a Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) central committee meeting at Esselen Park, east of Johannesburg.

"They can see there has been an element of... victimisation... the support is well-founded."

Cosatu reportedly resolved on Monday night to call on President Thabo Mbeki to prevent Zuma's upcoming corruption trial from proceeding in the belief that Zuma had been victimised.

Earlier in the day, Zuma addressed the meeting in his capacity as ANC deputy president, the only office he stills holds.

He told the conference there had to be unity in the tripartite alliance ahead of the local government elections.

"We must fight against 'clique-alism' and factionalism that can divide our movement," Zuma emphasised.

He said cliques and factions were a disease that could only be fought through open discussion.

"If we shy away (from open discussion) we fertilise the ground for gossips... this is a disease we need to fight resolutely because we need to be united for the elections."

Zuma said the alliance needed to discuss how prepared it was for the elections, because only a united force could succeed.

Zuma, who has a strong following among Cosatu members, was loudly cheered and entertained by singing upon completing his speech.

Later in the day Cosatu will formally launch the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust.

It is a collaborative effort between business, Cosatu and civil society to provide financial and moral support to Zuma before and during his upcoming corruption trial.

Zuma's financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was recently convicted of fraud and corruption linked to Zuma.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and News24.