When the Scorpions started their investigation into the controversial arms deal five years ago, Jacob Zuma was not their target.

The Scorpions began their investigation in November 2000 and in April 2001 they found the “first payments of school fees” that Schabir Shaik had made on behalf of Zuma.

In July the same year, a former secretary to arms dealer Alain Thetard gave the Scorpions evidence of corruption in the deal.

The secretary, Sue Delique, provided the Scorpions with the famous encrypted fax, which described an alleged attempt by Shaik to secure a bribe of R500000 a year from arms company Thomson CSF on behalf of Zuma.

Scorpions investigators later found sensitive documents relating to the arms deal during a raid on Shaik’s house and office in Durban. Shaik had apparently received the documents from his brother Shamim (“Chippy”), who was then chief of acquisitions in the Department of Defence.

The Scorpions also found more than 200 payments which Shaik and his Nkobi Group had made to, and on behalf of, Zuma.

On October 22 2002 Bulelani Ngcuka, then head of the Scorpions, extended the investigation to probe suspected corruption involving Zuma.

On August 23 2003, Ngcuka said Shaik would be prosecuted, but that Zuma would not be charged despite there being prima-facie evidence against him.

Zuma was charged with two counts of corruption this year after the conviction of Shaik. The charges relate to the same ones on which Shaik was convicted.

The Scorpions have since extended the investigation against Zuma to include fraud and tax-evasion charges.

Zuma’s trial has been set for July 31 in the Durban High Court.

With acknowledgements to Dumisane Lubisi and the Sunday Times.