He would have been very surprised if there had been no contradiction and other unsatisfactory aspects to his client's evidence, counsel for Schabir Shaik, Advocate Francois van Zyl SC, told the Durban High Court this morning.

Starting his closing argument, Van Zyl said he would focus on the fact that his client did not have a criminal intention to do anything the state alleged he had done.

He argued that so much time had passed between the acts that Shaik was alleged to have committed and the prosecution, that Shaik could not blamed for reconstructing some of the events.

Van Zyl will continue his final argument when the court reconvenes on Tuesday.

With acknowledgements to Estelle Ellis and The Star.