A former security cop granted amnesty for murder is mentioned in Shaik's trial papers

Brand Visagie, a former security policeman who applied for amnesty for the abduction and murder of MK cadre Portia Ndwandwe near Pietermaritzburg in late October 1988, has been mysteriously linked to the alleged original meeting between Deputy President Jacob Zuma, Schabir Shaik and Malaysian business and government leaders that, in turn, kickstarted the web of intrigue that is currently unfolding in the Durban High Court.

Although at this stage his precise role remains unclear, Visagie's name appears in the 250-page KPMG forensic report detailing Shaik's financial affairs.

The state has also presented a letter faxed to Zuma, in his capacity as provincial MEC of Economic Affairs and Tourism, inviting both Zuma and Shaik to meet Malaysian dignitaries in July/August 1995.

According to the letter: "We wish to propose that this trip be scheduled at your earliest convenience. Upon acceptance of this invitation, kindly contact Mr Brand Visagie who would be responsible for co-ordinating and facilitating the arrangements for this trip."

It appears Visagie could have been employed by one of the entities comprising Malaysian investment giant Renong, which has subsequently been linked to various investments in South Africa, including the building of the Hilton Hotel and the original Point development.

Although court records show that the letter appeared incomplete and may not have been sent, it is alleged that the meeting referred to did take place. It was this meeting that is claimed to have been instrumental in luring Shaik into the global arms industry.

Visagie's murky past includes the abduction, interrogation and eventual murder of Ndwandwe, who was then the MK commander for Natal operations.

The murder itself followed the illegal entry into Swaziland by Visagie and a group of security branch officials, the abduction of Ndwandwe and protracted "interrogation" in an attempt to persuade her to supply information on MK activities.

Ndwandwe was taken to a so-called safe house on the farm Elandskop, near Pietermaritzburg. Once it became apparent that she was not about to co-operate, Visagie and his colleagues were instructed to eliminate her.

She was blindfolded and led to her grave 50 to 80 metres from the farmhouse among tall trees. A member of the security branch team then knocked her unconscious with a baton before shooting her in the head.

She was undressed and placed in the grave. Lime was sprinkled over her body, which was then covered with plastic bags and the grave filled.

Visagie and his accomplices were granted amnesty after a hearing in October 2001.

The actual extent of Visagie's overall involvement in the Shaik saga during the following three years at this point still remains unclear.

Also alleged to be a close friend of Shaik's brother, Mo, he was implicated in a smear e-mail campaign against the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka.

Ngcuka subsequently ordered the re-investigation of Visagie for other apartheid offences for which he might not have obtained amnesty.

With acknowledgements to Shriley Jones and The Natal Witness.