The political importance of the Supreme Court's decision in Schabir Shaik's appeal hearing hardly needs to be emphasised.

If Judge Hilary Squires's judgment that there was a "generally corrupt" relationship with Jacob Zuma is upheld, it will obviously be a crucial factor in the decision to revive the prosecution of Zuma and potentially open up investigation into the whole arms deal.

The term "bribe" has consistently been used in relation to the famous encrypted fax.

The fact that the fax was encrypted rather than in plain English, French, Zulu or Sotho is surely in itself a suspicious factor.

The semantic history of "bribe" is interesting. Originally it was a consideration extorted, exacted or taken by an official, judge or person in authority, somewhat like protection money.

Now the sense is as Dr Johnson defined it in his dictionary of 1755: "A reward given to corrupt a person or induce him to act in the interest of the giver."

In 1809 members of the British parliament were required to take a "bribery oath", swearing that they would not take bribes.

Geoff Hughes is Professor Emeritus, Wits University.

With acknowledgement to Geoff Hughes and Weekend Sunday Argus.