Deputy President Jacob Zuma was the victim of a political process, the Pretoria High Court heard on Monday.

The refusal of prosecuting authorities to give him a copy of a handwritten document allegedly implicating him in bribery was the final step thus far in that process, Neil Tuckten, SC, told Judge Jerry Shongwe.

Zuma has asked the court to order the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Scorpions to provide him with the original French handwritten version of a fax allegedly originating from Alain Thetard, an official of the arms company Thales.

The deputy president is alleged to have been involved in an effort to secure a R500 000 a year bribe from the company, which is involved in the country's multi-billion rand arms deal.

Tuckten said Zuma's dignity had been invaded.

"To protect his dignity the applicant (Zuma) requires that he be provided with the material to enable him to respond to the allegations."

The hearing continues.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and iafrica.com.