ANC leader and presidential front-runner Jacob Zuma is expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday to face charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering.

Judge Leona Theron is expected to set a date for an application by Zuma's lawyers for a stay of prosecution.

A strong police presence is expected as the ruling African National Congress warned that as many as 15 000 supporters would gather outside the court where Zuma, the National Prosecuting Authority and French arms company Thint will square up.

About a hundred ANC supporters braved rainy weather at Freedom Square near the court building on Tuesday evening to attend a night vigil for Zuma, who is the ruling party's presidential candidate in general elections this year.

The criminal charges against Zuma were reinstated after the Supreme Court of Appeal last month 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.

Some of the charges relate to alleged corrupt payments offered by Thint to Zuma in return for protection during a government probe into alleged irregularities in a multi-billion rand arms deal.