Durban - The media took centre stage in the Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption trial in the Durban High Court on Monday.

SABC radio, e.tv and talk radio stations 702 and Cape Talk have applied to broadcast the trial.

In its application, e.tv said it wanted to broadcast sound, not pictures, either live, delayed, or in an edited form.

At the start of the trial on October 11, the television station unsuccessfully applied to broadcast live from the proceedings.

e.tv said: "no other criminal trial in recent history has such far-reaching implications for the nature of democracy and open government".

Gilbert Marcus, SC, for e.tv, 702 and Cape Talk was asked why his clients were only applying to broadcast now, after e.tv had already done so.

"They were sitting on their hands," said Judge Hillary Squires.

But Marcus said they only wanted to see what the outcome of the e.tv application would be.

He said they had an affidavit from Independent Democrats leader Patricia De Lille, who is a witness in the case, saying she had no objection to her evidence being broadcast.

Brian Pincus, for SABC radio, said his client wanted to broadcast part of the proceedings in news and current affairs bulletins.

He said: "Shaik does not contend for himself for the right of privacy". Claims that broadcasting from the trial would have an "intimidatory and inhibiting" effect on witnesses were just conjecture.

Shaik was not present in court on Monday due to the application.

He is on trial for allegedly facilitating a bribe to Deputy President Jacob Zuma in return for protection during a probe into the country's multi-billion rand arms deal.

The trial continues.

With acknowledgements to Tisha Steyn, Sapa and News24.