Pressure is mounting on Deputy President Jacob Zuma to disprove allegations that negotiations were made on his behalf to secure payment in return for his trying to use his influence in decisions about the arms deal.

The Democratic Alliance has called on President Thabo Mbeki to probe Zuma’s affairs and the nature of his relationship with his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik. Shaik is facing charges connected with the arms deal.

DA spokeswoman Raenette Taljaard said the allegations against Zuma were serious. It was regrettable he had not heeded her party’s urgings that he subject his financial affairs voluntarily to a forensic audit to prove his innocence.

“South Africa cannot afford to have a cloud of suspicion... hanging over the head of the second-most important political office-bearer in the country,” Taljaard said in a statement yesterday.

Pan-Africanist Congress MP Patricia de Lille said she would like to see the matter go to court rather becoming the subject of a commission of inquiry.

“We want people to appear in an open court of law and hopefully, under oath, we will get to the truth. A commission of inquiry will only be able to make recommendations to the president and that is not enough,” said De Lille.

In her letter to Mbeki, Taljaard dismissed Zuma’s claims that he was “far removed” from the arms deal, charging that Zuma had written a scathing letter to the chairman of Scopa, the parliamentary committee which recommended a probe of the arms deal.

“The probity, or otherwise, of the deputy president’s financial relationship with Mr. Shaik requires objective scrutiny,” Taljaard said.

The Scorpions confirmed this week they had filed papers with the Durban High Court in an attempt to secure Shaik’s co-operation in investigations into the arms deal.

The Mail & Guardian reported last week that Zuma’s office had “vehemently” denied allegations that there had been negotiations to arrange payment in exchange for his using his influence.

With acknowledgements to Jeremy Michaels and Cape Times.