The entire country is anxiously awaiting the National Prosecuting Authority's announcement on whether or not it will charge African National Congress president Jacob Zuma in connection with arms deal bribes.

Acting prosecutions boss Mokotedi Mpshe is expected to make a decision at 11am on Monday.

Zuma's office told Eyewitness News he had yet to be informed about the decision.

The pavement outside the NPA's headquarters in Pretoria was aligned with broadcast vans, satellite dishes and cameras as the world's media prepared for Mpshe?s announcement.

Police officials will have their hands full as protesters could be heard making their way towards the building.

They had to remove one protestor in front of the gates.

Speculation was rife the NPA would drop the charges against Zuma.

"It is a very puzzling thing because the simple point of the matter is that if Zuma is innocent as he claims, why doesn?t he sue? On the other hand, if he is guilty as others claim why don?t they prosecute?" asked political analyst Frederick van Zyl Slabbert.

The ANC has consistently insisted Zuma is innocent.

'A legal decision'

Prominent businessman and ANC member Tokyo Sexwale said the NPA must stick to whatever decision it takes.

"If the NPA reaches its own decision, it must be a decision it can live with. It must be a legal decision because we are not asking for a political solution," he said.

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said the ANC and NPA were disgracing the country.

"The NPA and the African National Congress will go down in the history of this country as having aborted or raped the criminal justice system," he explained.

Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said she would attend Monday's NPA news conference despite being barred from doing so.

Zille said attempts to prevent her from attending, confirmed the perception the NPA was staging a cover up.

"We are recognised by the NPA as an interested party and it is very strange that they are blocking us from coming to hear the outcome. We believe that the NPA has been bullied by the ANC and we want to ensure that there is no cover up," stated Zille.

COSATU's Zwelinzima Vavi said Zille should not interfere.

"She is an opposition party desperately in search of voters. The NPA is correct to refuse her the right to come to the press conference. It is not a DA press conference. It is an NPA press conference," said Vavi.