The defence in the Schabir Shaik trial on Thursday rested its case in the Durban High Court, but the state has applied to again lead evidence to prove the authenticity of a two-page document.
Prosecutor Billy Downer said that the state was ”taken by surprise” when Shaik, who faces two charges of corruption and one of fraud, denied any knowledge of the document, known as BBB1 and 2.
Downer said this document appeared to be an earlier draft of another document known as QQ11 and 12, also two pages in length, which was found on a computer in Shaik’s Nkobi group of companies.
It is an unsigned letter by Deputy President Jacob Zuma dated October 31 1996, and was on a letterhead of the ministry of economic affairs and tourism.
QQ11 and 12 was not disputed when presented as evidence in court.
BBB1 and 2 is a letter to Halim Saad of the Malaysian Renong group, which was involved in the Point Waterfront Development project.
The state in count one of general corruption against Shaik alleges that in this instance, like many others, Shaik had used his influence with Zuma to persuade Renong to make him their preferred black empowerment partner in the project.
Defence advocate Francois van Zyl opposed the application, saying it would bring up other matters which would force him to lead evidence as well.
The state hoped to call a computer expert to testify about the authenticity of BBB1 and 2, which it says was deleted from Shaik’s computer.
Before the defence closed its case, however, Van Zyl told the court, that the state had conceded that ”neither Zuma nor Shaik influenced or delayed” the Point Waterfront Development project at any stage or in any way.
Judge Hillary Squires is expected to make a ruling at 2.30pm on Thursday. — Sapa