There is no doubt that former deputy president Jacob Zuma is currently in an invidious position, having been ousted from his high level post without being convicted in court of any wrong-doing.

Moreover, despite this ousting from the deputy presidency, Zuma retains his position as deputy president of the ruling ANC.

These imbalances, given the grassroots popularity of the man, are guaranteed to cause tensions within the ANC and disquiet among his supporters, as evidenced in disruptions at some public events and the separate launch of a fund to help with his defence costs.

Nevertheless it is hard to understand the reasoning behind trade union federation Cosatu's tactics when it this week urged President Thabo Mbeki to halt the pending corruption case against Zuma and to reinstate him as deputy president.

The fact is that Mbeki cannot afford even to consider such a move. Zuma would himself be denied any opportunity to clear his name and South Africa would become an international laughing stock if Mbeki were to try to circumvent the wheels of justice that are already turning.

Whether the allegations stick or not, Zuma's name has been dragged through the mud in open court. The judge found evidence of a "corrupt relationship" to be credible, at least as far as Shabir Shaik was concerned.

For the sake of his own, and the government's, integrity Zuma must be given an opportunity to present his own side of the story, something that has not been heard in public.

It is unfortunate that Cosatu believes Zuma simply faces a politically inspired trial and that it cannot be fair. It is preposterous to suggest there are no judges in this country capable of applying their minds to the issue in a fair and impartial manner.

If that were to be the case we would be living in a banana republic where the term "rule of law" has no meaning.

With acknowledgement to The Mercury.