The way Schabir Shaik brought plans for an eco-tourism school to a halt was "unusual, unfortunate and tragically unforgivable", a Scottish professor told the Durban High Court.

Professor John Lennon said his dealings with Shaik and Deputy President Jacob Zuma over the KwaZulu-Natal project had given him the impression that "there was a degree of influence over Zuma" and that there was "only one person who could get Zuma's signature".

Shaik's counsel, advocate Francois van Zyl SC, said his client would testify he had nothing to do with the project's collapse and that most of his correspondence to Lennon had been based on a misunderstanding.

Lennon, who was giving evidence yesterday in Shaik's fraud trial after the State failed in its bid to have him testify via satellite, said he came to South Africa in 1998 as part of a trade delegation.

Lennon said he met Shaik after a talk he gave on his plans to set up a tourism school in KwaZulu-Natal.

But Van Zyl said Shaik would testify he had never met the professor; instead, Lennon had met his London agent Deva Ponnoosami.

Lennon said he was reminded that it was vital for Jacob Zuma, then KwaZulu-Natal MEC for tourism, to support the project. He said he met Zuma, who promised he would write a letter of support. Lennon returned to Scotland, where he waited "a very long time" for the letter.

Ponnoosami wrote to Shaik saying Lennon was experiencing difficulties in "getting JZ's signature".

Lennon faxed a draft letter to use as an example of what was expected from Zuma. On February 4, 1999, Zuma's letter arrived, faxed from Nkobi Holdings. It expressed Zuma's support for the proposal and suggested that Lennon make Nkobi Holdings his South African partner in the venture.

"It was interesting, but premature," Lennon said. "I wondered why Zuma would suggest one company in particular *1. I also found it unusual that a minister had to be helped to write a letter. I found it disturbing that it was faxed from Nkobi. It did not fill me with confidence," Lennon said.

On the same day, Lennon also received a letter from Nkobi Holdings, confirming its interest in the project.

He said he wrote back that he was keen to discuss the project but "it was early days". This was followed by an angry letter from Shaik, written by employee Martyn Surman: "I have to advise you that he (Shaik) finds your response insulting to say the least," it said.

"It seems a bit harsh. Shaik must be easily insulted," Lennon told the court.

Surman also wrote that it was only through Shaik's intervention that he received Zuma's letter.

The trial continues.

With acknowledgement to Estelle Ellis and the Cape Argus.

*1 Why indeed?