WATCH: 'Zuma supporters' close off M4 between Ballito, Umdloti

Calls for the release of former president Jacob Zuma from jail rang out, as parts of the province were turned into no-go zones. 

The early morning demonstrations in and around Durban led to the closures of some major routes, as support grew online under the #KZNShutdown and #FreeJacobZuma hashtags. 

READ: WATCH: Protests close major roads in KZN

Marshall Security's Andreas Mathios say a handful of protesters blocked the M4 between Ballito and Umdloti. 

"So the residents have come out in support of Zuma by blocking the road with tree stumps. They set tyres on fire and metro police officers, together with members of SAPS, are busy trying to the very few protests at bay. 

"The challenge that they do have at this stage is because of the heavy busy area the protesters are hiding in the bushes, so we cannot assess exactly how many numbers there are." 

The protests come ahead of Friday’s court judgment in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. 

Zuma approached the court in an effort to avoid arrest following his conviction for contempt.

The former president eventually handed himself in to authorities in Estcourt late Wednesday night.