A senior trusts official said he has "no doubt" that he would have been told if an overseas company promised a substantial amount of money to the Jacob Zuma Education Trust.

That was the evidence of Gert Pretorius, who was the operations head of trusts at Absa in 1999 and 2000. He was yesterday called as a witness in the trial of Durban businessman Schabir Shaik. He gave evidence about his dealings with the Jacob Zuma Education Trust.

The trust has been mentioned a number of times in the corruption and fraud trial of Shaik. The Durban businessman has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.

Shaik alleges that what the State considered to be correspondence about a bribe to be paid to Zuma, was actually negotiations about a donation to the trust by French arms company Thomson. But Pretorius said if it had been mentioned, even if no amount was formalised yet, he would have noted it.

He told the court that he knew nothing about it. He did, however, concede that he had only recorded what was said during meetings and not other discussions.

Pretorius told the court that Zuma was the "patron and trustee" of the trust that was set up to help students in KwaZulu-Natal to finance their education.

Pretorius said Zuma attended most meetings of the trust before he became deputy president but did so less frequently after his appointment.

He said fundraising was always an issue. At one stage it was suggested that they approach the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund for money. This was rejected because the trust did not "qualify" for funding. Pretorius explained that Zuma said he would speak to Mandela himself. It was also suggested that raising funds overseas be considered.

Pretorius said he was later asked to facilitate the payment of a cheque of R2-million from Mandela to Zuma into Zuma's personal bank account.

He also said Zuma had sent for him and gave him a cheque of R1-million to pay into the trust account.*2

He said he was never aware of any foreign donations to the trust and would have noted donations from Thomson if it were mentioned in their trust meetings. He said he "had no doubt" that he would have been approached if a substantial amount of money was promised. The trial continues on Monday.

With acknowledgement to Estelle Ellis and Pretoria News.

*1 This word is inserted in a quotation (sic), to call attention to the fact that some remarkable or inaccurate expression, misspelling, or the like, is literally reproduced.

In English, it derives from the Latin word for "thus".

Did the editors at the Pretoria News mean "Plan Afoot to Keep the Whole of South Africa Loan Shark-Free"?

*2 One for me, one for you.