Supporters of Jacob Zuma attending an all- night vigil outside the Durban Magistrate's Court for the former deputy president booed KwaZulu-Natal Premier S'bu Ndebele.

Ndebele came to talk to the 2 000-strong crowd outside the court where Zuma will appear on Tuesday for charges of corruption.

Ndebele arrived at just after 10pm and was one of the speakers expected to address the crowd. But the crowd indicated they did not want to hear him nor were they much interested in the programme of speakers organised by Sipho Gcabashe, ANC provincial secretary.

Earlier the crowd had gathered on the cordoned-off streets. Supporters dressed in t-shirts with pictures of Zuma chanted and sang slogan songs late into the night as they marched up and down Somtseu Road. Some of the songs were critical of President Thabo Mbeki.

This morning hundreds of supporters, many having travelled by bus from Mpumulanga, North West Province, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, were still out in force.

A big group, including youngsters and pensioners, from Nkandla, Zuma's hometown, were very visible. Thobekile Shange said she had made the trip with 15 other women to support her "grandfather".

"He supported me when I was studying at the University of Zululand and my fees for the four years were paid in full by the Jacob Zuma DP fund."

Nelly Zuma, also from Nkandla, said they had spent the night near the court, and she believed Zuma was innocent and was being treated unfairly.

Sizwe Mzimela was dressed in his school uniform and said many older people in Nkandla had their education sponsored by Jacob Zuma.

"Zuma is a godfather for us back home," he said.

As the time of his court appearance drew nearer and anticipation grew that Zuma would be arriving, the singing and dancing became more intense.

But on Monday night it was Premier Ndebele, along with KZN Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Zweli Mkhize and senior officials from the ANC and SACP's general secretary Blade Nzimande who experienced the emotions of the crowd, putting a halt to the marches for about two hours.

Also present was Durban businessman Vivian Reddy, who on his arrival on the stage, hugged the premier in greeting.

Gathering around a small green, black and white stage, that had been constructed by the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust, the crowd booed Gcabashe as he announced the premier would speak to them.

Instead they chanted vehemently for "Mkhize, Mkhize" and "Zuma, Zuma" to speak instead.

Mkhize is locally known to be a close supporter of Zuma.

A troubled Mkhize was eventually forced to speak to the crowd, after a series of power delays. For at least 45 minutes the premier, after alighting on to the small make-shift stage, was forced to sit in the dark as an official who had hired the sound and lighting equipment refused to allow "the leaders of the ruling party to use the sound system that had been hired for the masses".

Eventually after a frantic exchange between Mkhize and the woman who claimed to have hired the equipment, the power and sound system were finally restored.

Mkhize was then forced to take control of the situation and calm the chanting crowd.

"Let's respect one another - let's work together and respect our comrades. The first thing is that we have in the ANC a culture of respect for each other and the leadership," Mkhize said.

As he said this the crowd shouted "But we want you!"

After a series dignitaries took the microphone and voiced their support of Zuma, among whom was Reddy who called for Zuma to be president, Ndebele finally addressed the crowd.

He spoke about the discipline that as supporters and members of the ANC the crowd should show. "We are united in KZN and believe deputy president Jacob Zuma should get a fair trial," Ndebele said.

He called for the crowd to be disciplined today for Zuma's appearance. Earlier, Willis Mchunu from the ANC had told the crowd that Zuma was innocent until proven guilty.

"Our weapon in the struggle has been our unity and our discipline. We are united in KwaZulu-Natal and are united behind Jacob Zuma," Ndebele said.

All the supporters were unanimous that they were there to support Zuma as they believed he was innocent until proven guilty.

Most people called for the former deputy president to be reinstated.

The freshly cut lawn and polished floors of the Durban Magistrate's Court closed their doors to the public this morning for three hours .

The court maintenance staff have made a special effort to spruce up the court area in anticipation of the appearance of Zuma and other politicians.

Notices were also posted saying that the court house would be closed off to the members of the public for security reasons unless they had security clearance to attend the Zuma matter.

The National Prosecuting Authority also did a last-minute security sweep of the building. Court staff were also expected to arrive earlier than usual and will have to wear their staff identity cards while the NPA have control of the building.

Outside the carnival-like atmosphere continued during the vigil.

High-spirited volunteers arrived soon after 5pm and began erecting tents, ferrying in plastic chairs, portable toilets and an electric generator for a media centre.

A special tent was erected for VIPs attending the vigil and today's proceedings in court.

According to Elias Khumalo of the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust, between 3 000 and 4 000 people were expected to congregate at the court.

"This is the very first function to be hosted by the Trust and we believe that we have to be visible and make our point of view known," said Khumalo.

By 8pm, the first 1 000 people had arrived, some of them in plush cars, while others arrived by bus and some in a convoy of taxis.

The young and energetic toyi-toyied, much to the delight of the television cameramen and press photographers.

Dozens of informal traders had also arrived with a wide variety of merchandise, food and beverages for sale.

With acknowledgement to the Daily News.