A date for the corruption trial of dismissed deputy president Jacob Zuma will formally be set at his appearance in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Saturday.
He will also be served with the indictment outlining the charges against him.
It is expected the case will be transferred to the Durban High Court and the trial set down for July 31 next year.
Zuma will have to make his way through a crowd of thousands of supporters to get to the court for his appearance.
Police frisked supporters as they streamed to the court on Friday evening for a night vigil.
Police put the crowd inside their barriers off Somtseu Street at more than 2 000 by 11pm. More were gathered outside, not allowed to enter with the alcohol they had brought along.
”We are here to support Mr Zuma; he is our father,” said a woman among the mass of people outside the court.
Those not singing and dancing were standing around chatting, cooking on gas stoves or dozing on the grass.
Apart from sweets and crisps, vendors were selling T-shirts bearing Zuma’s likeness for R40 apiece.
At his court appearance in October, Zuma’s supporters burnt T-shirts carrying the image of President Thabo Mbeki. The African National Congress has warned of disciplinary action if this happens again.
Zuma himself has asked the crowd to show restraint.
He was axed by President Thabo Mbeki after the fraud and corruption conviction of Durban businessman Schabir Shaik, who the court found had a ”generally corrupt relationship” with Zuma.
Several high-profile politicians have promised to attend Zuma’s court appearance on Saturday to show their support for him. — Sapa