He's facing charges related to the controversial multibillion-rand arms deal of the late1990s.

After nearly two decades, the State versus Zuma is finally ready for a showdown in court.

Tuesday’s proceedings are mainly for a pre-trial, meaning all parties will iron out logistical issues ahead of the start of the actual trial.

“Both parties will update the court as to whether there had been any agreements with regards to conditions and certain things that the parties had to agree to before arriving in court," said Mpumelelo Zikalala of Zikalala Attorneys.

"That will be the number of witnesses that are required, the number of days that are going to be required by each party. But most importantly the state of readiness of each party and to the dates as to which day the trial will have to start.”

The actual trial – once it starts – is set to take months.

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has meanwhile reassured the former president.

“His support is not questioned, and we’ve engaged with the national leadership on the issue that we should continue to support him," said KZN ANC chairman Sihle Zikalala.

"He continues to play a role as one of the leaders in the province and his role will not be eroded by anything. His contribution will forever be there.”

In the past, Zuma's enjoyed massive support from a group of die-hard defenders.

But things seem different this time around.

He is set to cut a lonely figure inside court and won’t be able to address supporters outside court either.

“In our network, we’ve got a lot of people who are saying they want to come but we say, because of the COVID-19 we cannot risk the lives of the people," said Zuma supporters organiser Bishop Vusi Dube.

"It will be dangerous for us, it will be dangerous for them.”

eNCA