Backers of embattled African National Congress Deputy President Jacob Zuma have announced a one-million signature campaign to petition President Thabo Mbeki to drop corruption charges against the former South African deputy president.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions's (Cosatu) leader in KwaZulu-Natal, Zet Luzipo, and his South African Communist Party (SACP) counterpart, Themba Mthembu, announced this in Durban on Tuesday.
Cosatu, the SACP and the ANC Youth League were behind the programme that saw people holding a vigil on the eve of Zuma's first appearance in court on June 29, and marching through Durban on the day of his appearance.
He will appear in court again on October 11.
Zuma, who was fired by Mbeki after Judge Hilary Squires found there was a generally corrupt relationship between him and his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, is to face at least two corruption charges.
Luzipo said Cosatu and the SACP had declared October 11 a "national day of solidarity".