In 2001 Deputy President Jacob Zuma declared to parliament that he owed his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, R1.5 million. This was revealed in a letter handed to the Durban High Court by Shaik's lawyers during proceedings in his trial for fraud and corruption yesterday.

The letter was a response from Secretary to Cabinet Frank Chikane to a request by Zuma.

The documents were introduced during Shaik's re-examination by his senior counsel, Francois van Zyl SC.

Another letter by Chikane, addressed to lead prosecutor Billy Downer, stated that Zuma had not filed a loan agreement when he declared his liabilities. However, Chikane added that there was no need for him to do so.

Chikane further admitted that Zuma had disclosed in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 that he had owed Shaik money.

Chikane said that he was barred from disclosing the details of the loan, because the liabilities were filed in the confidential section of the members' register of interests.

Earlier in the day Shaik had refused to supply the state with an updated schedule of the money owed to him by Zuma.

Shaik also said under cross-examination that every year he had helped Zuma's secretary, John Jeffreys, draw up a list of liabilities that Zuma had to declare to parliament.

"Do you give him an updated schedule including the amount of interest?" Downer asked in cross-examination.

"I can't recall," Shaik answered.

"Where did the amount of R1.5 million come from?" Downer asked.

"It is part of his debt," Shaik answered.

"But we say that the amount owing by Zuma in 2001 was R666 000," Downer asked, adding: "Payments you admitted yourself."

"I can't help you," Shaik said.

"It cannot be correct," Downer sighed.

"Let's ask Frank Chikane," Shaik offered.

There was almost no sign of Shaik's volatile personality during his cross-examination, and he restricted himself to one or two sarcastic comments.

At one point he said that his answers during his evidence-in-chief and cross-examination differed because his state of mind then was "different to what it is now".

Downer wrapped up his cross-examination in the morning.

At one point Judge Hilary Squires asked: "Mr Downer, is the finishing post in sight?"

Downer's last few questions still dealt with the R1.5 million debt Chikane said Zuma had declared to parliament in 2001.

Downer asked: "Why does this only deal with 2001?"

Shaik responded: "My charges only go to 2002."

"Did you only ask for 2001?" Downer asked.

"I only asked for 2001. It could include the declaration for 2000," Shaik said.

"But we just don't know," Downer retorted.

When Shaik left court, he said he was tired but glad to have had the chance to tell his side of the story.

He also said that the former national director of public prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka, had now finally got what he had always wished for Zuma - a trial by media.

The trial continues.

With acknowledgements to Estelle Ellis and The Mercury.