South Africa's multi-billion rand arms deal has been plagued by allegations of corruption ever since former Pan Africanist Congress MP Patricia de Lille, in Parliament in 1999, called for an investigation into claims that senior ANC politicians had taken kickbacks.

Among those allegations is that Deputy President Jacob Zuma tried to solicit R500 000 from a French company which benefited from the deal, offering to protect it during subsequent investigations into the arms deal.

Zuma is currently being probed by the Scorpions investigating unit, which has sent him a list of 35 questions in connection with his alleged misconduct.

He has repeatedly denied the allegations, while saying he has maintained his silence.

This is a chronology of the major events up until Sunday:

January/February 2001: In a letter to National Assembly Speaker Dr Frene Ginwala, dated January 31, Zuma urges Parliament's standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) to produce evidence of alleged malpractice in the arms deal.

He also wants Scopa, in its next report to Parliament, to substantiate its conclusion that defence acquisitions were "usually attended by malpractice, with the purchasing countries being victims of such malpractice".

In a previous hard-hitting letter to then Scopa chairman Dr Gavin Woods, Zuma criticises the committee for "seriously misdirecting itself" and "arriving at decisions that are not substantiated by any facts".

April 22, 2001: Reports suggest that Zuma's financial adviser, Durban businessman Schabir Shaik, a director in a company involved in the arms deal, had managed an Absa bank account which was used to pay for the deputy president's children's studies. Zuma tells the Rapport newspaper that the studies were paid for by Shaik's company, because Shaik was his financial adviser.

November 29, 2002: Zuma denies allegations that he attempted to secure a bribe from one of the companies involved in the arms deal, his spokesperson Lakela Kaunda says.

"He believes the allegations are baseless and mischievous as he has not been involved in any such unlawful activity or the procurement of arms to that matter.

"Zuma cannot respond to the allegations in detail as an investigation into the matter is underway."

December 9/10, 2002: Zuma's office again denies reported allegations that he may have financially gained from the arms deal.

"We would like to reiterate that the allegations of corruption and bribery made against Deputy President Jacob Zuma are without foundation," Kaunda says in a statement.

Zuma himself says: "The allegations are unfounded and completely baseless."

February 2003: Zuma's office denies the allegations yet again, saying "the continuing allegations and rumours linking him to corruption and bribery are ridiculous, malicious, insulting and defamatory".

Zuma says he is ready to defend himself and will cooperate with any law enforcement agency that will investigate the case;

March 12, 2003: In a written reply to a question in the National Assembly, Zuma denies the allegations once more, adding that he does not know if he is under investigation by the Scorpions on the issue.

He says he has not discussed the issue of protecting any company or individual from the Joint Investigating Team's probe into the arms deal with anyone.

Zuma adds that he has heard from media reports about the allegations that he "requested money in return for support or protection" to the company; and

July 27, 2003: Zuma questions the Scorpions' motives in allowing a Sunday newspaper sight of 35 questions he was asked to answer in connection with his alleged misconduct.

"I find it totally unacceptable and despicable that questions that they sent to me have appeared in a Sunday newspaper. This is a serious breach of confidentiality and is contrary to the spirit and terms of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, relating to the confidentiality of information received and disseminated," he says in a statement issued by Kaunda.

"I am now consulting with my lawyers with regard to the conduct of the (National) Directorate (of Public Prosecutions) and the nature of my response to this situation."

Zuma says he has remained silent regarding the allegations against him and expects the same respect in return.

"For more than three years, I have chosen to maintain my silence as I felt that would allow the investigators space to continue with the probe unhindered. Public statements from my side would have easily been misconstrued to be interfering with the investigation or seeking to influence it in one way or the other, especially given my position in the government and the (African National Congress).

"Despite my silence... there have been constant leaks of information to the media which was clearly designed to cast aspersions on my integrity.

"And while the leaks were going on, there was still no official confirmation that I was being investigated. I only received confirmation after my lawyers repeatedly wrote to the directorate in this regard."

He reiterates that he is not guilty of any wrongdoing and urges those who believe they have a case against him to prove it in court.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and www.iafrica.co.za.