The former credit manager of Absa private bank, Ian Mcleod, told the Durban High Court on Friday how he was repeatedly overruled when he tried to turn down the account applications of Schabir Shaik and Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

Mcleod is testifying in Shaik's fraud and corruption trial.

Mcleod said on both application forms he wrote that he could not recommend the clients because they had high risk ratings.

He said he felt that in future the bank would suffer losses.

However, decisions were made at Absa head office to accept both Zuma and Shaik, who was known to them to be the deputy president's financial adviser.

Mcleod said there was a "take one, take both" policy in the private bank.

Under cross-examination, he admitted that one of the reasons Zuma was accepted was because of his influence.

He said Zuma was the deputy president and Absa wanted to make inroads into provincial government accounts.

He said Absa was also interested in growing the black economic empowerment companies on its books.

Shaik has been accused of placing Zuma on "retainer" to secure his influence to Shaik's advantage. The state also alleges that he solicited a R500 000-a-year bribe for Zuma in exchange for protection during investigations into arms-deal irregularities.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Mail & Guardian.