The above headline appears to neatly summarise Schabir Shaik's defence against charges that he bribed Deputy President Jacob Zuma in order to advance his business interests.

He had begun to fund Zuma in 1990. "There was no infrastructure for him. Helping him financially was an extension of our comradeship," said Shaik.

By Hogarth's reckoning, Zuma has since acquired the rather substantial infrastructure that goes along with being deputy president. But, strangely, Shaik admitted that he continues to back him financially.

This in terms of an "oral" revolving credit agreement reached in 1990. The banks were not as generous.

With acknowledgements to Hogarth and the Sunday Times.