A popular groundswell is building behind Jacob Zuma, the former South African deputy president who was recently dismissed amid corruption allegations.

Leftwing supporters of Mr Zuma on Tuesday launched a fund to pay his legal and other costs when he goes on trial to face two counts of corruption. The launch came a day after Cosatu, South Africa’s main trade unions federation and the ruling African National Congress’s partner in government, called on president Thabo Mbeki to reinstate his former deputy and prevent what it called a “political trial”.