Now that the auditors have almost finished giving evidence in the trial of businessman Schabir Shaik, the politicians are expected at the Durban High Court.

Their arrival comes as the notion that the case against Shaik is nothing but another ordinary commercial crime trial, seems harder and harder to dispel.

But this week some drama at least is expected from Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille and former Standing Committee on Public Accounts chairman Gavin Woods, who are expected to take the stand.

Both are expected to testify on what they know about South Africa's controversial arms deal, more specifically the attempts by Judge Willem Heath and his anti-corruption unit, the now defunct Heath Commission, to investigate claims of irregularities in the multi-billion rand deal.

Shaik has pleaded not guilty to two charges of corruption and one of fraud.

The State alleges that Shaik played a role in an agreement with French arms company Thomson which, according to a disputed fax before court, was to pay a bribe to Deputy President Jacob Zuma in exchange for his support and protection against investigations into the deal.

It is also expected that the court will hear evidence on a letter written by Zuma, in his capacity as leader of government business, to Woods. The letter makes it clear that the government did not see the need for the Heath Commission to look into the arms deal.

The State further alleges that Zuma intervened to sort out the shareholding in African Defence Systems, in favour of Shaik's Nkobi group. ADS later obtained one of the lucrative subcontracts in the corvette part of the arms deal.

Shaik is, however, expected to tell the court that Zuma was concerned only about black economic empowerment.

Judge Willem Heath is expected to give evidence later in the trial.

De Lille made headlines when she claimed to have information on arms deal corruption which she had given to Judge Heath.

It is expected that the State still has to call about 16 witnesses, including two more auditors, before it can complete its case against Shaik

With acknowledgement to Estelle Ellis and the Cape Argus.