It is not in the public interest that the prosecution of ANC leader Jacob Zuma go ahead, the party said on Wednesday.

"It is not in the public interest that the prosecution of President Zuma should proceed.

"The ANC will ensure that the persistent violation of Jacob Zuma's rights is unearthed and all South Africans be made aware of the injustices he has now suffered for far too long," the African National Congress said in a statement.

It was responding after the Pietermaritzburg High Court provisionally set down Zuma's trial for August 25.

Zuma faces charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering.

The party said it would also apply to be a friend of the court in the application for leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal judgement that allows the National Prosecuting Authority to continue pursuing its corruption case against Zuma.

Zuma has lodged the application with the Constitutional Court.

"The ANC is horrified by the perverse attitude of some critics who believe that Jacob Zuma should be presumed guilty until proven innocent.

"This less than subtle attack on the ANC president's fundamental rights will not go unchallenged.

"We require that the Constitutional right that South Africans are innocent until proven guilty is vigorously defended...The ANC is contending that Zuma's rights to a fair trial have been severely infringed."

The party said it had appointed a legal team led by senior counsel, Hilton Epstein. The ANC said the application to be admitted as amicus curiae would be lodged by February 16.

The party again said Zuma's prosecution was politically motivated.

"While we have consistently argued and continue to believe that political meddling is at the heart of this case, we will pursue all legal avenues to ensure that our president who has endured eight years of slander, slurs and vicious attacks, is vindicated," said the party.

The ANC said that it would continue to support Zuma.

"We will be standing side by side with our president, Jacob Zuma, through the challenges he faces. Comrades do not desert their fellow comrades in their hour of need," said the party.