"I feel as if I'm being chased like a dog and treated like a witch in my own country," said former deputy president Jacob Zuma as support continued to pour in before his second court appearance in connection with fraud and corruption charges.

Zuma was addressing the congregation at the eThekwini Community Church (ECC) during a special prayer service held for him yesterday.

Although the service had officially ended before Zuma arrived, the congregation waited for him.

They danced, sang, lifted their chairs and ululated.

"We love you, Zuma," they shouted.

There is to be an all-night vigil at the Durban's Magistrate's Court fro 6pm today, with may supporters expected to spend the night in tents outside.

Security will be stepped up and surrounding roads closed.

Schools are expected to be disrupted tomorrow as the SA Democratic Teachers' Union has called on its members to be at court to support Zuma.

Inside the courtroom, Zuma's legal team is expected to take on the Scorpions, who are seeking to adjourn the matter to March next year.

Zuma's lawyers say prolonged adjournments will prejudice their client.

At yesterday's church service Zuma said, "I was convicted, yet I was never in court ...

"For a week (during the Schabir Shaik trial) a judge convicted me of many crimes, but he had not spoken to me."

With acknowledgement to the Cape Argus.