The counsel for Durban businessman Schabir Shaik, Francois van Zyl SC, complained this morning about weekend media reports that claimed Shaik would admit to the court he had lied about soliciting a bribe for Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

Van Zyl said the reports were "clearly wrong", and also formed part of his argument that were not yet before the court.

Judge Hilary Squires said he had not seen the articles, but it was up to Shaik to take any steps he chose to.

Van Zyl continued his closing argument attacking the State's "mosaic of evidence", saying there was no evidence that Zuma had done anything untoward.

He argued the prosecution could not prove that Zuma had actively, in his capacity as a former MEC in KwaZulu-Natal or as deputy president, done anything to benefit Shaik's business interests.

He submitted instead that the only proof before the court was that Zuma had acted to help Shaik in his capacity as deputy president of the ANC, which, Van Zyl pointed out to the court, was not an allegation made in the charge sheet.

Argument continues.

With acknowledgements to Estelle Ellis and the Cape Argus.