A much mentioned encrypted fax recording a bribe of R500,000 to Deputy President Jacob Zuma was judged admissible as evidence by Durban High Court judge Hillary Squires on Thursday. The fax is the key document in count three of the State's case against fraud and corruption accused Schabir Shaik.

The other important documents also judged admissible are two affidavits by Malaysian-based British businessman David Wilson. Wilson was formerly a director with the Renong group of companies, and was initially interested in the Durban Point waterfront development project. His affidavit apparently contained evidence which proved that Shaik used his connections with Zuma to try and become Renong's preferred black empowerment partner in the project. He was not successful in this attempt. These affidavits relate to count two of general corruption charge against Shaik.

Squires ruled that some police reports and exhibits which were confiscated during search and seizure operations in Paris were inadmissible, while documents from Thales International Limited, in Mauritius, were also inadmissible as evidence.

The judgment comes just over a week after legal teams in the Shaik trial started arguing the admissibility of seven documents.

Apart from the two charges of corruption, Shaik also faces one charge of fraud relating to the irregular write-off of money in his company accounts.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.