Deputy President Jacob Zuma, former Transport Minister Mac Maharaj and Durban businessman Schabir Shaik are all under investigation by the Scorpions. Ranjeni Munusamy, Mzilikazi Wa Afrika, Andre Jurgens and Jessica Bezuidenhout look at the links between the three men.

Jacob Zuma

# September 9, 1999 - Presidency dismisses rumours of Jacob Zuma being implicated in arms deal corruption.

# January 19, 2001 -- Zuma wrote a letter attacking the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in parliament saying their call for an arms deal investigation was "tantamount to a fishing expedition".

# November 29, 2002 - Mail & Guardian revealed that Zuma alleged tried to secure a R500 000 from a French defence company.

# Zuma denies that allegations

# December 8, 2002 - the Sunday Times revealed that Zuma flew to Senegal with Shaik in his official entourage.

# December 15, 2002 - Sunday Times revealed Zuma flew with Shaik to Malaysia.

# June 9, 2003 - the Scorpions sent Zuma a list of 35 questions to answer regarding their arms deal probe.

Mac Maharaj

# February 28, 1997 -- Department of transport awards R265-million contract to Prodiba Consortium which include Nkobi Holdings subsidiary, Kobitech to produce the new credit card driver's licences.

# December 15, 1997 -- R50 000 deposited into Mac Maharaj's cheque account by Kobifin, the finance division of Nkobi Holdings.

# May 25, 1998 -- R25 000 deposited into Maharaj's cheque account by Schabir Shaik.

# August 11, 1998 -- Maharaj announces that N3 Toll Road Consortium which include Nkobi Investments awarded R2,5 billion to upgrade the N3 road between Johannesburg and Durban.

# June 1999 - Maharaj stepped down as government minister and later joins FirstRand Holdings as a director.

# February 16, 2003 - the Sunday Times revealed that Maharaj and his wife received money and gifts worth more than R500 000 from Shaik.

# February 20, 2003 - FirstRand announced that Maharaj had been granted a three-month leave of absence

# June 19, 2003 - Maharaj questioned by the Scorpions.

Schabir Shaik

# December 3, 1999 - Shaik's company along with the French arms firm [Thomson-CSF and the German Frigate Consortium] signed a R6,8 billion arms deal with SA government [ADS's and Thomson's workshare value approximately R1,2 billion in 1998 Rands].

# October 9, 2001 - the Scorpions raided Shaik's house and his business premises in Durban.

# November 16, 2001 - Shaik arrested after a raid reveals he has confidential arms deal cabinet minutes

# July 18, 2003 - Shaik loses court battle to evade questions by Scorpions on alleged arms deal bribe for Zuma.

# July 29, 2003 - Shaik is expected to appear before the Scorpions for question in connection with the money and gifts he paid into Mac Maharaj and his wife.

Related links :

Scorpions Grill Deputy President

With acknowledgements to Ranjeni Munusamy, Mzilikazi Wa Afrika, Andre Jurgens, Jessica Bezuidenhout and the Sunday Times.