For some, the Schabir Shaik corruption trial might just be a court melodrama revolving around a few high-profile individuals, without any consequences for society.

But a number of political commentators and analysts believe the eight weeks of the trial, now in recess, was one of the most important political events of the year, if not the most significant.

Among their reasons are that the case highlights how our new political elite enrich themselves and that the outcome as well as perceptions of the trial might have important ramifications on the decision about who should succeed President Thabo Mbeki.

Although Judge Hilary Squires said from the outset that Jacob Zuma, the deputy president, was not on trial, his name appeared on virtually every page of the charge sheet, while most testimonies referred to his relationship to Shaik.

The state alleged a "general corrupt relationship" between Shaik and Zuma and that the deputy president was "on retainer for Shaik". One of the main corruption charges is that Shaik solicited a bribe from a French arms company for Zuma in return for the deputy president's protection in the arms deal investigation.

Shaik pleaded not guilty, and while acknowledging a relationship with Zuma, said it was not a corrupt one. He said the payments (totalling R1,2-million) made to Zuma were loans and a "loan agreement" was later produced.

Human Sciences Research Council political analyst Adam Habib said the trial showed up many of the contradictions within the government and the "battle for the heart and soul of the ANC" being played out in the tripartite alliance.

"The Schabir Shaik trial was the most interesting (political event of the year) without a doubt, because it has such significant implications about who will succeed (Mbeki) and who won't," Habib said.

"Zuma is quite popular on the ground, but whatever happens at the Shaik trail, I think his credibility has been tainted. That does suggest there is potential for a dark horse to succeed (as president)."

Judith February, an Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa) analyst, said: "Many of the themes of debate this year were whether politics is about money.

"It is about perceptions of what the ANC is and who it represents. It is also about the ANC itself and a struggle inside it about whose interests it will represent. Is it the interests of big business or of the little people?"

Idasa is to bring a legal challenge early next year to force political parties to reveal their sponsors; an issue in which South Africa is lagging far behind international transparency surveys. "The problems around BEE (black economic empowerment) deals raise important questions about the revolving door and the blurring of party and state, as well as conflicts of interests," February said. She was referring to the recent outcry over 15,1 percent of Telkom shares going to a consortium with close ANC ties, suggesting a "revolving door-style" enrichment.

"One positive thing is that the government is reviewing the executive code of ethics and looking at post-employment restrictions to stop the revolving doors," she said.

Academic and Social Movements spokesperson Dale McKinley, referring to the megamillion-rand Telkom deal, said: "What Zuma has done is small fry compared to such 'inside deals'.

"There is all this tension around Zuma and the real big fish are getting away. It's what happens in the United States: they catch the guys who are vulnerable and the big ones get off the hook."

With acknowledgements to Christelle Terreblanche and the Sunday Independent.