This is the case the state is taking to court, write Andre Jurgens, Mzilikazi wa Afrika and Jessica Bezuidenhout

The charge sheet against Schabir Shaik, who appeared in court this week, has set the nation's tongues wagging.

Scorpions boss Bulelani Ngcuka announced he would not prosecute Deputy President Jacob Zuma over an alleged arms deal bribe - despite claiming his investigators had prima facie evidence of corruption.

But the 45-page charge sheet has engulfed Zuma in a controversy, with opposition parties calling for his resignation over more than R1-million which was allegedly paid to him by Shaik. The Durban businessman, who is Zuma's personal financial adviser, has not pleaded to any of the charges of corruption, fraud, theft, contravening the Companies Act and the Income Tax Act.

The ANC this week also denied claims in the charge sheet that the party effectively held a 10% share in Shaik's Nkobi Holdings.

With acknowledgements to Andre Jurgens, Mzilikazi wa Afrika, Jessica Bezuidenhout and the Sunday Times.