A group of African National Congress (ANC) supporters gathered at Grand Parade in Cape Town on Tuesday morning in a show of support for President Jacob Zuma who later in the day faces a vote on the motion of no confidence in Parliament.

The numbers had swelled to around 500 by midday, with supporters singing Struggle songs and chanting “Zuma must stay” as they prepared to make their way to Parliament.

A march by opposition parties and civil society was taking place on the other side of town and also making its way to Parliament amid a heavy police presence.

On Monday, Speaker Baleka Mbete announced her decision to allow a secret ballot in the vote on the motion of no confidence in Zuma.