Quoting Martin Luther King Jnr and inviting a comparison with the biblical struggle between David and Goliath, Durban businessman Schabir Shaik yesterday protested his innocence after being charged with fraud and corruption.

In a style reminiscent of the infamous OJ Simpson case, Shaik responded defiantly and flamboyantly to the charges, claiming to be the victim of apartheid era agents .

Shaik's charges were laid two days after the National Director for Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka announced he would not prosecute Deputy President Jacob Zuma for corruption flowing from the controversial multibillion-rand arms deal. Shaik, who is Zuma's financial adviser, called on the country to "watch this case carefully" in a "David takes on Goliath" event that would uncover aspects of the arms deal. He believed the case had already attracted national and international interest, as taxpayers had the right to know the details of the arms deal.

Drawing inspiration from the late King , Shaik said "For evil to prosper, good men must remain silent," and then called on those "good men in our country" to come forward to testify.

"The trial will prove my innocence and show up the cracks in the South African state security and intelligence agencies."

Shaik believed none of the two fraud charges or the one each of corruption and tax evasion "go to the heart the arms deal". He said the truth could not be "glamorised or politicised, and I have faith in our justice system. This case is an attempt to malign my companies and create maximum damage."

Meanwhile, Shaik said he was "relieved and delighted" that Ngcuka would not prosecute Zuma. The case was remanded until October 3.

With acknowledgements to Nicola Jenvey and Business Day.