Not even his "so-called political connections" could land him a government fleet management contract, Durban businessman Schabir Shaik told the Durban High Court.

Shaik, giving evidence in his own defence on his third day in the witness stand, rejected the notion that he asked Deputy President Jacob Zuma to put in a good word for him when a joint venture in which he was involved pitched its plan to take over the management of the government garages.

"I am sad to say that despite all the so-called political contacts I am said to have, I was not successful," he said.

Shaik has pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption and fraud mostly relating to what the State calls his "general corrupt relationship" with Zuma.

Shaik also told of his outrage at how the department of the then minster of safety and security, Steve Tshwete, had treated the partners when they tendered for the contract to manage the police fleet.

"Minister Tshwete was very excited about our proposal. He even asked if we could manage helicopters. He was delighted when we said we would. He said I must contact his office and organise a follow-up meeting. We left with a sense of exuberance."

Shaik said he then encountered a legion of non-responsive officials in the Department of Safety and Security.

"I asked Zuma what I must do. He said I must write to Tshwete and tell him how I felt."

Shaik's sombre mood of the past two days was replaced by some charm, more confidence and even a little smile.

"Jacob Zuma is not the sum total of my business interests," he told the court. "There is a perception rooted in this country that I am successful because of Jacob Zuma. That is an insult. It gives no recognition to my business sense."

Shaik also told the court he had used Zuma's name on a proposal for an investment bank because Zuma was his friend "and understood more about black economic empowerment than most".

Shaik said the State was wrong in alleging that Zuma had helped him to sort out a dispute with French arms company Thomson CSF, after it had cut off Shaik's company Nkobi from an investment in African Defence Systems, a sub-contractor in the multibillion-rand arms deal.

He also denied he had called for Zuma's help to get him a share of a proposed eco-tourism school in KwaZulu-Natal. Shaik told the court he had never met the author of the project, Professor John Lennon of Glasgow in Scotland, but had assisted Lennon in getting Zuma's signature on a letter of support for his project.

He said Nkobi was not a "non-profitable organisation" and expected to be drawn into the project in exchange for its help. He denied taking steps to stop the project.

Shaik also denied asking for Zuma's help when he was sidelined by Malaysian company Renong in bidding for the Point Development in Durban.

David Wilson of Renong had said in a statement that he sensed that Shaik was trying to intimidate him and that he had formed the distinct impression that Zuma was in Shaik's pocket.

The trial continues.

With acknowledgements to Estelle Ellis and the Cape Argus.