Judgment day for his financial adviser Schabir Shaik, tried for fraud and corruption, will be a normal working day for Deputy President Jacob Zuma at his office in Cape Town today.

With President Thabo Mbeki in the US, Zuma will be the acting president - the closest some pundits say he will come to being the country's head of state if the judgment goes against his comrade.

Zuma's spokeswoman Lakela Kaunda declined to respond to a query whether the deputy president - like the rest of the nation - would tune in to hear the judgment, which will be broadcast live.

Zuma is due to travel to Durban later in the day to attend a gala dinner to be hosted by Education Minister Naledi Pandor, Kaunda said.

Tomorrow, with Judge Hilary Squires expected to continue his judgment, Zuma will return to Cape Town before flying to Zambia on an official visit.

Although Zuma is not on trial and faces no charges, the Shaik judgment has enormous implications for him.

Central to the state's case was the relationship between Zuma and Shaik, which the state has tried to prove was "generally corrupt".

If Shaik is found innocent, Zuma's popularity will soar, with his stake in the ANC's presidency strengthened. However, if Shaik is found guilty, it will give Zuma's detractors ammunition to challenge his suitability for the top job.

His death knell could be speeded up if Judge Squires recommends that the state proceed against Zuma.

With acknowledgements to Angela Quintal and the Cape Times.