The Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption trial has been adjourned until Friday, when the state and defence will argue the admissibility of documents submitted by the state.
These documents include the infamous encrypted fax as well as those confiscated during search and seizure operations in France and Mauritius.
On Wednesday, the state’s last witness, lead investigator Johan du Plooy finished his testimony.
The court again heard how investigators battled to get Alain Thetard — the self-confessed author of the hand-written note that led to the encrypted fax — to testify.
Du Plooy said investigators even promised to withdraw the two warrants of arrest for statutory perjury and corruption against Thetard but he still refused to come to South Africa to testify.
Thetard said he did not wish to testify in South Africa or any other country except France, and then only about the contents of the affidavit provided to the state.
Under cross-examination, Du Plooy conceded that if the warrants were withdrawn, it would not have granted Thetard indemnity from prosecution.
He said after a letter from former national director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka he decided not to pursue the matter any further, referring to getting Thetard to come to South Africa.
The trial continues on Friday. — Sapa