November 2000 — Scorpions launch preliminary investigation into the arms deal.

August 2001 — Scorpions boss Bulelani Ngcuka approves a probe into alleged arms-deal corruption.

October 2002 — Scorpions extend probe to include bribery allegations against Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

August 2003 — Scorpions lay charges of corruption and fraud against Zuma’s financial adviser, Schabir Shaik. The same month, Ngcuka decides not to charge Zuma, despite a “prima facie case” against him.

September 2003 — President Thabo Mbeki appoints a commission to look into allegations that Ngcuka was an apartheid spy.

January 2004 — Ngcuka is cleared. The same month Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana launches a probe into claims that Ngcuka abused the powers of his office.

May 2004 — Mushwana finds that Ngcuka’s “prima facie” statement was “unfair and improper”.

July 2004 — Ngcuka quits.

June 2005 — Shaik is found guilty on two counts of corruption and one of fraud. The court finds there was a “generally corrupt relationship” between Shaik and Zuma.

June 2005 — Mbeki fires Zuma as his deputy in the government.

June 2005 — Zuma appears in court on two counts of corruption relating to his financial dealings with Shaik.

August 2005 — Scorpions expand Zuma investigation to include charges of fraud and tax evasion.

August 2005 — Scorpions raid properties of Zuma and his associates.

September 2003 — President Thabo Mbeki appoints a commission to look into allegations that Ngcuka was an apartheid spy.

January 2004 — Ngcuka is cleared. The same month Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana launches a probe into claims that Ngcuka abused the powers of his office.

May 2004 — Mushwana finds that Ngcuka’s “prima facie” statement was “unfair and improper”.

July 2004 — Ngcuka quits.

June 2005 — Shaik is found guilty on two counts of corruption and one of fraud. The court finds there was a “generally corrupt relationship” between Shaik and Zuma.

June 2005 — Mbeki fires Zuma as his deputy in the government.

June 2005 — Zuma appears in court on two counts of corruption relating to his financial dealings with Shaik.

August 2005 — Scorpions expand Zuma investigation to include charges of fraud and tax evasion.

August 2005 — Scorpions raid properties of Zuma and his associates.

With acknowledgement to the Sunday Times.