The law should do more for victims, the poor and the ignorant, President Jacob Zuma said in Cape Town on Wednesday.

"At what point will the law develop a stance to be proactive... in defence of the victims?" he asked delegates to an international conference of heads of prosecuting services.

The law should be for every citizen, not only the rich.

"If you say we have got equal rights, we must have equal rights also to access to the law."

He said he was worried by the fact that people sometimes went to prison "when they are not supposed to".

Zuma also reaffirmed South Africa's support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other international justice agencies.

"We will also continue to support all international initiatives aimed at upholding the rule of law, equality, justice as well as the protection of human rights for all citizens of the world," he said.

There was a strong case for African countries to strengthen their national legal systems.

This would complement the work of the ICC.