WATCH | From Hlaudi to Omotoso, these are 2018's top court crowd-pullers

This year has seen many newsmakers appear in court. These are just five people whose loved ones and loyal supporters were there to back them up. 

Jacob Zuma

The former president has been in and out of court on allegations of corruption. Throughout his legal battles, Zuma seems to have one thing guaranteed - a crowd waiting for him when his exits the building.

Hlaudi Motsoeneng

Despite the financial mismanagement scandals while he was the boss at the SABC, Motsoeneng still has a noteworthy support base. 

When he presented himself at the high court in Johannesburg on Thursday, there were scores of people outside waiting for him to address them.

Motsoeneng is opposing a court application by the public broadcaster that seeks to halt the payment of his R11.5m bonus.

Julius Malema

The commander in chief of the EFF is no stranger to the justice system.

One of the matters Malema had to answer for this year was the alleged contravention of the Riotous Assemblies Act. 

The EFF leader must account to the courts for urging his supporters to occupy land that is not in productive use.

“I come from Seshego. If there is unoccupied land, we will go and occupy the land with my branch. You must go and do the same in the branch where you come from.”

Duduzane Zuma

Former president Jacob Zuma’s son may not have a song-and-dance routine like his father, but he is a definitely a court crowd-puller. 

In Duduzane’s case, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree - he has his father’s charm.

When he was at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in October, some of the women just had to get close to him, and he indulged them.

Duduzane is facing the music for a car accident in 2014, in which two people died. 

Timothy Omotoso

Pastor Timothy Omotoso’s supporters are fiercely protective of him, regardless of the fact that he stands accused of raping women in his congregation. 

His flock calls him “daddy” and has become involved in scuffles with supporters of his accusers outside court.