Durban: "Jacob Zuma is not the sum total of my business interests," the deputy president's defiant financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, has told the high court here.

Other than an irritable conversation he had with his legal team in the morning, Shaik's sombre mood of the preceding two days had made way for charm, confidence and even a little smile yesterday.

"Reeves, do what I tell you," he shouted from the witness box at his instructing attorney, Reeves Parsee, before the start of proceedings on his third day in the stand.

Before this, he was heard saying "Guys, respect my wishes."

Shortly before 4pm Shaik complained he was feeling ill. "I am trying to catch my breath," he told the court, wiping his eyes and face with a towel.

When his counsel, Francois van Zyl, SC, asked him another question, Shaik took out his sunglasses and asked Judge Hilary Squires if he could give the answer today.

Earlier, while giving evidence, he said: "There is a perception rooted in this country that I am successful because of Jacob Zuma. That is an insult. It gives no recognition to my business sense."

Later he repeated: "I emphatically deny that I needed Zuma's help. It undermines my own business ability and confidence and I reject all allegations with the resentment (they deserve)."

Shaik has pleaded not guilty to corruption and fraud. Most of the allegations relate to his relationship with Zuma.

He said he had used Zuma's name on a proposal for an investment bank because the deputy president "was my friend and understood more about black economic empowerment (BEE) than most".

The ground covered yesterday included:

The state alleges Zuma helped Shaik sort out a dispute with French arms company Thomson-CSF after it had cut Nkobi out of an investment in African Defence Systems, awarded an arms subcontract.

Shaik said there had been a meeting, but although the minutes said Zuma had been present, he was not.

"Zuma stopped by because Jean-Paul Perrier, from Thomson, wanted to say hello.

"At the end of the meeting, we were enjoying a cup of coffee. I phoned Zuma. He came to have a cup of coffee with us."

Shaik said the meeting involved hammering out the details of a complex finance and share agreement.

"Zuma would not have known anything about it."

The state alleges that when John Lennon, a professor at the Caledonian University in Scotland, wanted to start an eco-tourism school in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma pushed for Shaik's company to be accepted as the BEE partner in the project. When Lennon seemed hesitant, Shaik threatened to speak to Zuma and do everything in his power to derail the project.

Shaik told the court he had not met Lennon before the trial. Lennon had dealt with Nkobi's London agent and Shaik had helped them get Zuma's signature on a letter of support. He said Nkobi was not a "non-profitable organisation" and had expected to be drawn into the project in exchange for its help.

"It was clear to me Lennon was failing to do what he should be doing. You cannot consult BEE consultants if you hit a wall and then forget about them as soon as the action starts. I might have, and in all likelihood would have, met with Zuma on this issue. I took no steps to stop the project."

The state alleges Shaik asked Zuma for his help when he was sidelined by Malaysian company Renong in bidding for the Point Development here. David Wilson, of Renong, has said in an affidavit that he sensed Shaik had tried to intimidate him.

He also said he had met Shaik and Zuma at Shaik's apartment and during their meeting gained the impression that Zuma was in Shaik's pocket.

Shaik told court he had contacted Wilson because he had a better proposal for Renong's bid for the Point Development. He had not tried to intimidate him.

Zuma had been involved in the project as then-MEC for economic affairs and tourism for KwaZulu-Natal. He had been trying to negotiate an equitable BEE deal.

"I never had a meeting with Wilson and Zuma in my apartment or anywhere else," Shaik said.

Denying that he had sought Zuma's help, he said he alone had introduced Renong to SA.

The trial continues.

With acknowledgements to Estelle Ellis and the Cape Times.