Did Deputy President Jacob Zuma defraud parliament?

This is one of the possible questions raised by the Scorpions and could be the reason for their seeking information which Zuma must supply by tomorrow.

In March this year former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni became the first person in South African legal history to be charged with defrauding parliament.

He pleaded guilty.

The charge was constructed as follows: As a member of parliament Yengeni had certain responsibilities and had to adhere to a code of conduct. But he made misrepresentations to parliament about his luxury Mercedes 4x4.

When he was caught out it damaged the standing of parliament in the eyes of the voters.

Is this the crime being investigated by the Scorpions in the case of Zuma?

Reliable sources say that it is at least one of them and that Zuma's legal team is well aware of this.

Some of the documentation that the Scorpions had asked Zuma to supply earlier this month also hints at this conclusion.

Their request was for, among other things, Zuma's declaration in the Members' Register and the Parliamentary Code of Conduct.

They have also asked for a copy of a statement released by President Thabo Mbeki's office on September 9, 1999.

The statement dismissed rumours that Zuma was implicated in possible corruption surrounding the arms deal.

Now the Scorpions want to know from Zuma what these allegations were and what exactly the president said in his statement.

The statement said:

Zuma had no financial interests in World Wide Africa Investments Limited.

During his tenure as KwaZulu-Natal MEC for economic affairs, he was briefed about business ventures there. One such briefing included a presentation by the CEO of Nkobi Holdings, Schabir Shaik. (Zuma later said that Shaik was his personal financial adviser and friend.)

At no stage was Zuma requested to take a stake in any company owned by Shaik.

The presidency rejected any insinuation that Zuma was implicated in shady arms deals.

The Scorpions have now requested Zuma to supply them with "particulars of your relationship with African Defence Systems (one of Shaik's companies), any shares directly or indirectly held in the company and any financial interest in the business of the company".

In the Members' Register in parliament, Zuma has declared a few small gifts, but (since 1999) has said the following about what the Scorpions are now asking him:

Shares and other financial interests: Not applicable.

Directorships and partnerships: Not applicable.

Zuma has previously labelled the arms deal investigation as "tantamount to a fishing expedition".

Further information required by the Scorpions relates to what they termed Zuma's alleged involvement with the Nkobi Group and the business or shareholders of StarCorp, Clanwest Investments, Floryn Investments and Workers College.

According to the company register, Shaik is a director of these companies.

Other information required by the Scorpions was:

Specific references to "the role of parliament in the (arms) acquisition process and the business interest and involvement of the Nkobi Group (holding 20% in ADS through Thomson-CSF) in the corvette programme".

Any financial benefits received directly or indirectly from 1995 to date from (amongst others) Schabir Shaik, Nkobi Holdings, Thomson-CSF/Thales entities.

Zuma has reiterated that he is not guilty of wrongdoing.

His spokesperson, Lakela Kaunda, also said last night: "We are not aware of any investigation about the deputy Deputy president's declarations to parliament probed president defrauding parliament. Zuma's members' register is up to date and if there was a problem, parliament would have let us know."

Shaik has been at the centre of the arms deal scandal since his company, African Defence Systems, landed a subcontract in the deal.

The company of which he is the CEO, Nkobi Holdings, through its 20% stake in Thomson CSF-Holdings, also has an interest in one of the main armsdeal contracts. A French arms company, Thales, holds 80%in Thomson CSF.

Shaik's Durban home and business premises were raided in October 2001 and he was arrested after the Scorpions allegedly discovered him in possession of confidential arms deal cabinet minutes.

Earlier this month he was ordered by the Durban High Court to answer questions from the Scorpions about his relationship with Zuma.

He might be appealing this judgment.

With acknowledgements to Estelle Ellis and the Cape Times.