Shortly before the trial, it was announced that more than 100 witnesses would be called during the trial of Schabir Shaik. However, a few days later the prosecution reduced this list to a still long list of 40 witnesses. (See new list below)

Some of the witnesses are quite high profile such as Patricia De Lille, a Member of Parliament and leader of the Independent Democrats;  and Gavin Woods, who is also a prominent Member of Parliament representing the IFP

Woods is also chairman of  the Standing Committee on Public Accounts - SCOPA, a committee that is supposed to oversee financial governance in Parliament. Critics have been very critical of the way SCOPA has been manipulated in dealing with the controversial Arms Deal.