A sombre-looking Schabir Shaik arrived at the Durban High Court on Monday morning to give evidence in his fraud and corruption trial.

"I believe the nation has the right to the truth *1 and the truth shall be told today *2," he told reporters.

The State closed its case on Thursday after Judge Hillary Squires gave judgment on several documents handed in as evidence by the State and to which the defence objected.

On Monday a huge media contingent waited for Shaik on the path leading up to the high court.

Shaik arrived about 10 minutes before the start of the trial and was accompanied by his brothers Mo and Chippy and several bodyguards.

On Sunday, Deputy President Jacob Zuma's spokeswoman Lakela Kaunda said Zuma would not be in court because he had not been approached by the State or the defence to be a witness *3.

Zuma is central to the two charges of corruption and one of fraud that Shaik faces.

With acknowledgements to Sapa.

*1  After 5 years of not having the truth thus far, the nation deserves nothing less.

*2  If this indeed be true, there must be a lot of minor (figurative) tsunamis in the Union Buildings (or Ivory Coast, or Burundi, or wherever) this fair day.

*3  Doesn't sound like a good start for the nation getting the whole truth and nothing but the truth - so help me Supreme Divine Entity (of whatever denomination of one's choosing for the purpose of the administration of d.s.s.).