Schabir Shaik describes the resumption of his trial as an examination for which he is fully prepared.

Instead of going on holiday, like the legal teams did when the case adjourned in December, Shaik spent time at his Durban home studying court documents, to "familiarise himself with issues presented at court".

"I didn't want to go on holiday and then come back so relaxed that I wouldn't be able to handle the situation that I am in. Instead I spent my time at home, studying court documents. Honestly, it is like an examination that I am fully prepared for. I am very confident. This case is about my life and integrity and I couldn't just switch off knowing that if I am found guilty there are serious consequences," Shaik told Weekend Witness.

Shaik declined to comment on last year's proceedings although he did say that he had "many views" on the state's case against him. He believes that the trial is set to make headlines again this year due to "politics".

"I think that people will want to see what is the outcome of this. I think the Democratic Alliance will want to know exactly what is happening in court everyday. But it's not just political parties who will want to know. It's of concern because we are talking about people's money, my money and your money. People always want to know if there was good governance regarding the allocation of the defence tenders. I hope that the case will reveal that there was good governance in my case," Shaik explained.

He said the subsidiary charges against him and his company Nkobi Holdings, such as tax evasion, keeping inaccurate accounting books and an irregular loan write-off, are just a "sideshow".

Shaik's attorney Reeves Parsee told Weekend Witness the trial is just another day at the office. "We are prepared like we were last year. It's just another day in court. We cannot predict what is going to happen. Trials have a life of their own. It can be set down for two days or two months and one cannot really expect what is coming but we are ready," he said.

Parsee said his job is to represent Shaik in court and has nothing to do with the performances outside of court.

He was referring to the dispute last year when Shaik allegedly insulted a policeman. A case of crimen injuria was opened against Shaik.

Meanwhile senior state advocate Billy Downer hopes "everything goes as smoothly as it did last year".

The state is expected to call at least five more witnesses before the legal teams argue the admissibility of several documents handed in as evidence.

"My team took a three week holiday and are now back at work and on Monday at 10 am they will be at the courthouse fully prepared. I hope and pray that things run as smoothly as they did last year," Downer said.

With acknowledgements to Nivashni Nair and The Natal Witness.