Security preparations are well under way for Pietermaritzburg to host one of the biggest trials in South African history.

Measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the judge, court officials, people attending the trial and businesses during the Jacob Zuma corruption trial, which is due to start on Tuesday.

A vast crowd of Zuma well-wishers and onlookers is expected to descend on the city for the trial.

Police Director Bala Naidoo said the SAPS would convene a meeting on Tuesday to finalise details of the security plan. "We have commenced with our planning and there will be a detailed plan in place when the trial starts to ensure traffic management, as well as safety and security."

He said "strict rules" of access would be applied, and all the necessary police units would be deployed.

Pietermaritzburg is no stranger to high-profile criminal and political trials - one of the most tense was that of the late Sifiso Nkabinde, who was acquitted on 18 murder and conspiracy charges by the High Court in April 1998.

On that occasion a massive police deployment was supported by two SANDF platoons. The court building was cordoned off with razor wire, the bomb squad and sniffer dogs conducted regular searches and the SAPS Mounted Unit was used to control the large crowds that gathered in the streets.

This time a two-metre iron railing erected around the court buildings will provide an effective barrier against overcrowding within.

Msunduzi Municipality mayoral spokesperson Brian Zuma said a large number of spectators were expected to be bussed in from around the country to attend the hearing, and said arrangements had been made for them to be dropped off outside the Natalia building, opposite Freedom Square.

The buses would then be parked at Harry Gwala Stadium until needed.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business, Andrew Layman, said businesses in the city did not know what to expect.

"Disruptions to business for the duration of Zuma's appearance would depend on the amount of people who converge on the court. There are not that many businesses in the region of the court and many, especially the food outlets towards the corner of Church and Boshoff streets and higher up towards Chief Albert Luthuli (Commercial) Road, may well welcome the crowds."

He said that activity at the library could be affected.

This article was originally published on page 1 of The Mercury on July 25, 2006

With acknowledgements to Ingrid Oellermann, Stephanie Saville and Independent On Line.