Durban - Mac Maharaj's close friend, Schabir Shaik, yesterday could not supply details of a mysterious R100 000 payment into the Maharaj family trust in 1996.

The Deloitte & Touche report conducted for FirstRand found that one of the R100 000 deposits into the Milsek Trust had been made by one of the companies in the Nkobi Holdings group.

Shaik could not explain what the payment was for: "We are waiting for the bank records reflecting the transaction to trace the reason for the payment.

"Both the Scorpions and Deloitte & Touche have proof of our requests to the bank but, as much of the information was confiscated by the Scorpions, we have had to request backdated records."

Referring to the Maharaj family trip to Disneyworld in the US, Shaik said he had considered this strategically important as he had wanted to use the opportunity to raise Maharaj's profile to attract investment into South Africa.

"There is a perception by foreign governments, especially European ministers, that African ministers are somewhat less important than First World ministers," he said.

"I saw the trip as an ideal opportunity to introduce Mac as a real minister whose portfolio was important as he was involved in the government's overall vision for infrastructural development ... and had insight into future projects the government was unfolding.

"As this was key to potential investment decisions by engineering firm Brown & Root, I asked the company to assist with arrangements for the family's accommodation and travel in the US."

Shaik said it was not until Maharaj's return that he discovered the meeting had not taken place.

With acknowledgements to Margie Inggs and the Business Report.