State prosecutor Billy Downer SC on Friday took on the role of the bloodhound in the Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption trial when he attempted to solve the mystery surrounding a document found on an Nkobi Holdings computer, which Shaik allegedly drafted for Deputy President Jacob Zuma to send to Malaysian development company Renong.

Judge Hillary Squires gave the state permission to hand in the document and cross-examine Shaik on its contents after Downer applied to reopen the state's case on Thursday.

Squires on Friday ruled in the state's favour on the grounds that the document was in the docket, although it was not mentioned until Thursday, and because it shares the same properties as a hard copy document handed in as evidence.

The state plans to prove that Shaik drafted the unsigned letter from Zuma addressed to Renong chairman Halim Saad, in which he makes plans to meet in Durban to discuss the Point Development Project. Previous evidence indicates that Shaik asked Zuma to convince the Malaysians that his Nkobi Group was the preferred black economic empowerment partner for such a project.

The state believes that if Shaik is indeed the author of the letter, it would prove that there was a general corrupt relationship between Zuma and Shaik.

Shaik on Friday denied knowing anything about the document. He said he could not recall the document, although it was found on a computer at his offices. He did concede he was the only person in the office dealing with the Point Development Project, but said that as he could not remember having sight of the document he "can't be as much help as he would like to be".

He denied being the author of the document, saying the English used in it is very different from his style. However, to "avoid arguments", he agreed with Downer that there were several similarities between the letter and the alleged draft.

The letter, on a Ministry of Economic Affairs and Tourism letterhead, and the alleged draft are both headed "Point Development Project - Durban".

The unsigned letter from Zuma begins:

"I refer to your letter dated June 8 in which you require my assistance to resolve matters regarding suitable local parties to work with your organisation on the Point Water Front Project and the assistance in accelerating the successful progression of this development project.

"Firstly let me apologise for this belated response and assure you that as the Minister of Economic Affairs and Tourism, I am indeed extremely concerned about the development of the Point Project and to assist your group in resolving any matter currently impeding this development.

"As both national and provincial chairperson of the ANC I have been extremely busy in ensuring the success of the ANC during the recent local government elections in KwaZulu-Natal. Given the successful accomplishment I am now in a position to focus on all matters relating to my portfolio "

The document found on the Nkobi computer begins with a similar reference to the third paragraph on the letter:

"I refer to your letter dated 8 June and wish to appologise [sic] for this late response. As the National Chairman of the ANC and the regional Chairman of the party in Kwa-Zulu/Natal [sic] I have been during this time under tremendous workloads and pressure to ensure a peaceful and successful loacal [sic] election. Having seeing through this successful and event, I am now in a position to respond with clarity on matters at hand

"Equally, as Ministe [sic] of Economics and Tourism for Kwa-Zulu/Natal, I am extremely keen to resolve any complications that currently inhibits the progress and development of this project and to optimize on the investments you have proposed for this project."

The final four paragraphs of the alleged draft give background to Shaik's expertise as a businessman and a recommendation to partner with the Nkobi Group.

Shaik said he lost interest in the project so Nkobi was not involved in the Point development.

When Downer accused Shaik of having politicians in his pocket and using them to punt for his business, Shaik denied these allegations.

After an hour of cross-examining Shaik on the Point development, Downer was asked by Squires to move on as it was highly repetitive.

When Downer said he hoped to tackle a new topic after lunch, Squires replied, "Well, so do we all". But Shaik took ill and the court did not resume after lunch.

With acknowledgements to Nivashni Nair and The Natal Witness.