A R250-a-head cocktail party has been organised by backers of former deputy president Jacob Zuma for this weekend. They plan to create a "carnival spirit" at events planned around his appearance in the Durban magistrate's court.

Hectic planning and activities are under way in Durban ahead of Zuma's third court appearance where he will face two charges of corruption. Backers plan to bring 30 000 people to the court on Saturday.

KwaZulu-Natal businessman Don Mkhwanazi, who has been entrusted with mobilising the Zuma defence fund, said on Monday that the gala fund-raising cocktail party was arranged to bolster funds. The aim is to build up a R12-million "war chest" for his defence.

He said the party would be attended by a who's who of Zuma backers and by members of the business community. Leading figures in the Zuma-supporting triumvirate of the South African Communist Party, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the ANC Youth League are expected to attend.

They include the chairman of the SACP, Blade Nzimande, Cosatu's secretary-general, Zwelinzima Vavi, and their provincial counterparts. Some provincial cabinet ministers are also expected to attend the event.

Business figures will include KwaZulu-Natal casino mogul Vivian Reddy, who is close to Zuma. "I have been invited and I will definitely be attending," said Reddy.

Mkhwanazi said the cocktail party would take place at Beach Cafe, owned by Prince Sifiso Zulu, President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce.

"We are anticipating putting a marquee next to the Beach Cafe as the venue itself is a bit small. We are now turning JZ's (Jacob Zuma's) overwhelming support into cash. We have a trial date set. For justice to be seen to be done we need money to engage the best defence brains."

The event will start at 6pm, and 1 000 tickets are on sale. Those attending will later move to the Durban magistrate's court area where a vigil has been organised. Mkhwanazi said Zuma himself would not attend the gala event.

"We are now stepping up our fund-raising campaign. On Saturday there will be fund raising braai parties all over Durban after the court appearance.

"All stakeholders behind the fund will be in town and will be putting the final touches to the campaign," he said, adding that a general "carnival spirit" would characterise the weekend appearance.

He said that before the vigil a meeting would take place with alliance partners to ensure that everything proceeded smoothly.

"We want to ensure who is doing what so that there is direction, professionalism and dignity. Of course we want to do this without compromising the carnival atmosphere," said Mkhwanazi.

Despite having already fielded a high-powered legal team, Mkhwanazi insisted that it still needed to be "beefed up".

"When the trial proper begins we will need more lawyers to handle different aspects of the defence.

"We need a minimum of R12-million to ensure that Zuma is properly represented. This is a gigantic task," he said.

Meanwhile, Young Communist League leader Muzi Zuma said people were being encourage to gather outside the court on Friday in numbers.

"Basically everyone has been encouraged to organise transport. We understand that some unions will be organising buses and we are encouraging that," said Zuma.

With acknowledgements to Sipho Khumalo and The Mercury.