It was Deputy President Jacob Zuma who helped "anxious" Durban businessman Schabir Shaik when his French business connections faltered, because President Thabo Mbeki had allegedly indicated that Shaik was not a suitable black economic empowerment partner.

This is what Shaik will tell his corruption and fraud trial, his senior counsel, Francois van Zyl SC, said yesterday. Shaik has pleaded not guilty to two charges of corruption and another of fraud, relating mostly to his relationship with Zuma.

The court heard that Shaik will admit to another two meetings between Zuma and French arms dealers, mostly sorting out the black economic empowerment deal around African Defence Systems.

The drama, according to documentation before court, started when French arms company Thomson cut Shaik out of its business dealings because Mbeki had indicated that Shaik's Nkobi group of companies was not a suitable black economic empowerment partner to have.

The court also heard that there are documents indicating that Zuma met at least once more with the French arms dealers. But forensic auditor Johan van der Walt said there could have been even more meetings.

"I accept what is said, but the indications are there, that it was not limited to just meetings. The starting point for this sequence of events was Zuma's concern. One point was clear. The French regarded Zuma as the rising man. His name had impact. His presence was used in many forms," Van der Walt said.

"But it has nothing to do with Shaik," an irritated Van Zyl replied.

Van Zyl said that in 1998 Shaik had heard rumours that Mbeki had apparently indicated that he and his group of companies were not suitable partners for black economic empowerment.

But Van der Walt replied that Zuma had told Shaik about the Mbeki allegations.

Van Zyl then explained that Shaik wrote an open letter to Thomson to put an end to the rumours. This finally culminated in a meeting between Pierre Moynot of Thomson, Shaik and Zuma in London. This meeting took place during an official trip that Zuma made to Scotland.

The meeting, Van Zyl explained, was successful and "Thomson's fears were laid to rest".

But Van der Walt replied: "One should not lose sight of the fact that Zuma knew the facts. He instigated the letter about the Mbeki rumours. Also look at the letter written in July 1998, where it was made clear that the French regarded Zuma as the rising man. Another note showed that the Zuma problem must be solved," Van der Walt said.

Van Zyl added that Shaik will further admit that there was a second meeting between Zuma, himself and the French, this time in Durban.

"Zuma was present for the meeting, but not for the whole meeting, and arrived when the meeting was in progress. He only stayed for a while," Van Zyl said.

"One cannot look at the events in isolation. Zuma was concerned about the allegations that Nkobi was not a suitable black economic empowerment partner. I would find it strange if he was not at that meeting," Van der Walt said.

"We have a different interpretation," Van Zyl said.

With acknowledgements to Estelle Ellis and the Daily News.