Schabir Shaik, the Durban businessman accused of bribing Deputy President Jacob Zuma for government contracts, is anxious for his day in court.

"This has taken a toll on my private and business life," he told reporters outside the Durban magistrates' court building, where he made another brief appearance on Friday.

"There is now uncertainty regarding myself and a cloud over my companies - but that is the price you pay for fighting for what is right."

During Friday's court appearance Shaik's case was adjourned to the Durban High Court on February 2 next year.

By then, Scorpions prosecutor Anton Steynberg said, the indictment should be finalised, documents prepared to the trial and a trial date can be set.

Shaik said he was "disappointed" at the postponement and at the fact that the state had still not finalised the indictment "after all this time".

"It drags the matter out - I have always said this is matter of mine is a political one, not a criminal one - and this is apparent from the range of political forces coming to bear on this case."

Replying to a question relating to the probe into National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka, said: "It would be a sad day when a judge finds any reason to indict Bulelani - I hope it all goes well for him."

Shaik also appeared in another court on charges relating to the theft of cabinet documents which allegedly relate to discussions on the arms deal.

This matter was adjourned in the Durban regional court to April 2.

Shaik's lawyer Reeves Parsee said the lengthy adjournment was necessary because he intended to challenge the legality of the search during which this document was seized.

This would be done in the high court in February.

The high court trial itself, he said, was expected to take about two months and he was presently briefing a team of three advocates to handle the matter.

With acknowledgements to Monica Langanparsad, Tania Broughton and the Weekend Argus