There is a hint of political mischief in the current Scorpions investigations.

Shaikh, the financial advisor to deputy president Jacob Zuma, was grilled for over seven hours by the Scorpions unit in Durban. He says he’s innocent.

Renee Horne: "The Scorpions have questioned him for hours for details of a web of companies in which he is involved. Companies awarded government contracts worth millions. Companies that were said to have made gifts to the politically powerful Maharaj family."

Shaikh: "We indicated and showed proof to the Scorpions and that (the) case of several payments and bribes and gifts were not the case, in fact it was a misrepresentation of the facts."

Renee Horne: "But now Shaikh says he’s had enough of the Scorpions. He wants answers and has given them two months."

Shaikh: "If this is feeding into someone’s political agenda, I assure you I will make this thing stop - soon. I have to do what is in my best interest. If I see there is political mischiefness going on, I’m willing to do what I think is in the best interest for us. Enough is enough. I want to bring this matter to an end my way. And I shall certainly do that (even) if it means dragging the French from France to South Africa - I’m going to do that."

Renee Horne: "Shaikh, a confidant of Zuma, has said that he will be discussing the 35 questions forwarded to Zuma by the Scorpions."

With acknowledgements to Renee Horne and SABC 3 News.