The Congress of SA Trade Unions will call for Jacob Zuma to be reinstated as deputy president of South Africa, Cosatu said on Tuesday.

"(We resolved) to call on the president of South Africa to review the decision to relieve comrade Zuma of his responsibilities as the deputy president," said Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.

The resolution was taken at a meeting of the Cosatu central committee on Monday night in Johannesburg.

The committee also resolved to ask President Thabo Mbeki to ensure the withdrawal of the corruption charges against Zuma.

"It is clear that he would not get a fair trial. In this context, Cosatu will start a petition campaign to call on the president to ensure withdrawal of charges."

Vavi said if the case went ahead in spite of the federation's call, Cosatu would demand a fair hearing and a full bench to hear the case.

"We will ensure that whenever comrade Zuma appears in court, our people will demonstrate en-masse."

Earlier in the day, a trust was officially launched to give Zuma financial and moral support during his trial.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and Independent Online.