It was on August 23 2003 that former National Prosecuting Authority boss Bulelani Ngcuka said he had a "prima facie" case of corruption against former deputy president Jacob Zuma but not a "winnable" case.

Ngcuka was addressing a press conference flanked by then justice minister Penuell Maduna to announce that Zuma's friend and financial adviser Schabir Shaik would be charged with fraud and corruption.

"The investigating team recommended that we institute a criminal prosecution against Deputy President Jacob Zuma," said the statement issued by Ngcuka at the time.

"After careful consideration ... we have concluded that, whilst there is a prima facie case of corruption against the deputy president, our prospects of success are not strong enough.

" That means that we are not sure if we will have a winnable case. Accordingly, we have decided not to prosecute the deputy president."

Zuma protested his innocence and complained to then Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana that his constitutional rights had been violated. Mushwana later found in favour of Zuma.

With acknowledgements to Waghied Misbach and the Sowetan.