The Shaik trial is a repeat scenario of the Bulelani Ngcuka and Tony Yengeni trials.

Again the parties can afford the best defence teams and the ultra-smart Shaik - as cocky as ever - will emerge as the victor, because the state is not going to let a stain stick on Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

The case will just wither away.

The old saying goes, "where there is smoke, there has to be a fire".

Is that not enough evidence that something has gone amiss? Now with the "new democracy" only "justice" will prevail, so they will all live happily ever after with all charges dismissed.

But the cost of such a trial is going to give the members of the legal teams such a lump sum in earnings that they will be driving smashing cars and living globetrotting lifestyles.

South Africans, and I mean millions on our doorstep, are turning to crime because of poverty and unemployment.

It is a reality that some children and the infirm die of malnutrition.

Why does the government not fork out a larger slice of the budget and look after its people and create a better society in this new democracy?

With acknowledgements to Jayson King and the Cape Argus.