The ANC's decision to use its president's court appearance to sell its manifesto was an attempt to deflect attention away from his legal troubles, a political analyst said on Tuesday

Jacob Zuma will appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday.

The African National Congress announced this week that it would use Zuma's court appearance to hold a mass rally to sell its manifesto to the people.

The ruling party said it had been provided with a perfect opportunity and platform to campaign to the more than 15,000 people expected to gather outside the court to show their support of Zuma.

KwaZulu-Natal-based political analyst Kiru Naidoo described the ANC's decision to use Zuma's court appearance to campaign as an unusual political tactic.

"The ANC's decision to use Zuma's court appearance to campaign seems to be an attempt to deflect attention away from Zuma's legal troubles which have the potential to hurt the ANC," he said.

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

The criminal charges against Zuma were reinstated after the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in favour of an appeal by the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).

The NDPP had challenged a ruling last year by Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Chris Nicholson, which held that the charges against Zuma were invalid.

Naidoo said even a dent in the ANC's proportion of the vote could upset its control of certain legislatures.

"While the ANC is still the lead party, a lot of opposition is leaping at its heels. It cannot afford to let down its guts and has to use every opportunity even court appearances to propel itself," added Naidoo.

Zakhele Ndlovu, another political scientist, had a different view.

He said the ANC's decision was an attempt to tell people not to listen to what the opposition parties said about Zuma.

"It is a strategic move because in their opinion Zuma's case is political.

"The ANC has every right to defend Zuma because he has not been found guilty by the court of law. It is not a bad strategy at this point because Zuma is still innocent," he said.

ANC deputy secretary in KwaZulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala said his party had always held gatherings outside the court during Zuma appearances.

"It has always been about the support for the president. We have always had our leaders addressing people outside the court and the only difference this time is that it is election time.

"That is the reason why we will also present our manifesto," he said.

A vigil would be held on Tuesday night, with leaders of the ANC and its alliance partners scheduled to speak.

The leaders would also address people on Wednesday.

The KwaZulu-Natal police said maintaining security would be a priority.

"Strict measures have been put into place to ensure that the general public, the business community and the supporters are protected prior, during and after the court case," said Senior Superintendent Henry Budhram.

He said some roads around the High Court would be closed. This would be assessed during the day.

"The police will endeavour to ensure that normal activities proceed unhindered outside the immediate vicinity of the Pietermaritzburg High Court."