The third defence witness in the Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption trial, Thomson (now Thint) official Pierre Moynot, told the Durban High Court on Friday that his company was told by a "visitor" at their Paris headquarters that Shaik was disliked by then President Nelson Mandela and his deputy, Thabo Mbeki.

This was conveyed to them after they chose Shaik as their black economic empowerment partner.

Moynot said they were told they had made a "mistake" in dealing with Shaik, but that after investigating they found this to be false and reinstated Shaik as a partner.

Under cross-examination, Moynot conceded that political connectivity and informal channels — two concepts the prosecution argues were part of a pattern of corruption between Shaik and Zuma — were critical to success in the arms industry.

"You must deal with people at the highest political level who will take the decisions [on contracts]," Moynot said.

He spent Friday on the witness stand, outlining how his company did business in South Africa and other countries.

Tracing the relationship between Thomson and Shaik's Nkobi Group, Moynot said that in the arms industry, knowing the right people in government was the key to success.

Moynot's testimony followed that of the second defence witness, former ANC intelligence operative and Zuma's legal adviser, Juleikha "Julie" Mahomed who also contradicted Shaik's version of events.

Mahomed differed from Shaik on several points around the drafting of the R2-million loan agreement between him and Zuma. She contradicted the Nkobi Group boss on where and when the agreement was signed. Mahomed also told the court she had taken the original of the agreement, while Shaik said Zuma had this document.

After tomorrow's proceedings the case will be adjourned until April 4.

With acknowledgements to Paddy Harper and the Sunday Times.