As it rained Zuma made the supporters laugh and ended off with his trademark "Umshini wami" song, but not before he had lambasted former ANC members standing as independent candidates in the upcoming local government elections.

Zuma’s visit to the sports field in Fredville was marked by the absence of any senior members of the SA Communist Party (SACP).

The area where Zuma staged the mini-rally is known as Fredville, and was the same area where SACP member, Philip Dlamini, was gunned down in January.

Four people were arrested in connection with the killing, two of whom are reportedly related to the outgoing councillor, Dennis Shozi.

The area has seen SACP and ANC members divided over who should be the candidate in the ward.

Petros Nxumalo is standing as an independent candidate in opposition to the ANC’s preferred candidate Nokukhanya Gumede.

Zuma also had a go at the Democratic Alliance, linking it with the apartheid-era National Party.

Zuma is expected to campaign in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday, while his ex-wife and outgoing African Union chair, Nkosozana Dlamini-Zuma, and Sports Minister, Fikile Mbalula, are expected to campaign in Durban.

ANA