Durban businessman Schabir Shaik on Monday morning took the witness stand to testify in his own defence.

Shaik, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption and fraud mostly relating to his relationship with Deputy President Jacob Zuma, was supported in the Durban High Court by his brothers Chippy, Yunus and Mo Shaik.

Zuma had sent his advocate Mohammed Patel to watch Shaik's evidence.

Shaik's counsel Francois van Zyl said he was not going to give an opening statement, and immediately called Shaik to the witness stand.

Shaik, dressed in a charcoal suit, blue shirt and a conservatively striped tie, played with his glasses and took a sip of water before Van Zyl asked his first question.

His evidence on Monday informed the court how what Shaik called "a different kind of comradeship" had formed between him and Zuma.

"The bond of my family and my relationship with the deputy president began during the struggle. I was introduced to Jacob Zuma by my brother Mo in London.

"The purpose was to begin my process of training and induction into the ANC. I was largely influenced by Mo, Chippy and Yunus.

"I had the option to assist the ANC in developing conduits of finance for underground operations. As such I was introduced to the late Thomas Nkobi who was then the Treasurer General of the ANC," he said.

Shaik, who is a trained instrument technician, told the court that he was always aware during his working career that his brothers were very involved in the ANC.

"In 1985 my brothers and father were detained. My father had a heart attack and was admitted to hospital. This was an important juncture in my life. I went back home to assist in my father's business.

"It was also an important juncture in Jacob Zuma's life. As a result of the decision taken by him, my brothers were detained. I don't believe that he knew the gravity or the consequence of his decision.

"After my brothers were released, Mo and I left the country under false passports and I became involved in the transfer of funds to South Africa. The ANC needed money to finance operations of which some were led by Mo and others by Mac Maharaj," he said.

Shaik said he met Zuma on several occasions in London where he had to debrief him on behalf of Mo. He explained that he was a courier of information between Zuma, Mo and on occasion Aziz Pahad.

"Zuma was our commander-in-chief. There was a great level of confidence and trust in our relationship. We literally placed our lives in Zuma's hands."

Shaik said he also struck up a close friendship, or a "different kind of comradeship", with Zuma. After 1994, when Zuma returned to KwaZulu-Natal, the Zuma and Shaik families also bonded, Shaik said.

He said he had often assisted Zuma with transport and also Shaik's father and Zuma became very close. He told the court that the rest of his family and, in particular his brother Mo, was at this stage helping Zuma financially.

"After the unbanning of the ANC Zuma and a few others came back to no infrastructure. Helping them financially was an extension of our comradeship," he said.

With acknowledgements to Estelle Ellis and the Daily News.