Durban: The Scorpions have widened the net of their investigation into former deputy president Jacob Zuma, who could now face charges of money-laundering, fraud and tax evasion, as well as corruption.

And all of his known benefactors are now also in the spotlight as investigators look beyond his relationship with Durban businessman Schabir Shaik and probe all sources of Zuma's funding.

This emerged in an affidavit made by Scorpions senior investigator Johan du Plooy before Pretoria High Court Judge Bernard Ngoepe earlier this month in an application for search warrants to seize documents from Zuma, his lawyers and known associates.

The raids, carried out early last Thursday morning, have been condemned by Zuma's lawyer, Michael Hulley, as a fishing expedition.

He said there was a possibility that their legality would be challenged, resulting in a claim by Zuma that his constitutional right to a fair trial had been jeopardised. The legal fraternity have also criticised the raids on the lawyer's offices, charging that they have dangerous implications for client confidentiality.

According to the court document, warrants were issued to search the offices and homes of Zuma, Shaik and some of his companies, the KwaZulu-Natal ministry of finance, Zuma's former office at Tuynhuys, Thint (formerly Thomson/Thales), Pierre Moynot, lawyer Michael Hulley, legal adviser Julie Mahomed and Zuma benefactors Jurgen Kogl, Vivian Reddy and Nora Fakude-Nkuna.

Du Plooy said that after Shaik's conviction on corruption and fraud charges, and the decision had been made to prosecute Zuma, his "ongoing" investigation had been extended to include possible charges of fraud.

These related to declarations made by Zuma to the registrar of parliamentary members' interests, the secretary of cabinet and the SA Revenue Services.

The investigation also included the complicity of the Thomson/Thales Group of companies - the arms deal bidder which Durban High Court Judge Hilary Squires found in the Shaik trial to have bribed Zuma.

Du Plooy said there was a "reasonable suspicion" that the following offences had been or were being committed:

Corruption - giving of bribes. It had been found that Shaik, his Nkobi companies and the Thomson/Thales group, through Shaik, had given, offered or agreed to give money to Zuma to influence him to misuse his position to benefit them.

Money laundering. This had disguised the corrupt payments to Zuma to avoid detection and prosecution. There was, at the very least, a reasonable suspicion that Zuma was complicit in that he knew that covert means were being used to channel bribes to him.

Corruption - taking bribes. There was "at the very least" a reasonable suspicion that Zuma had received or agreed to receive money from Shaik, Nkobi and Thomson/Thales to influence him to misuse his position.

Fraud/tax offences. These arose from payments to or on behalf of or for the benefit of Zuma by Shaik, Nkobi and Thomson/Thales which apparently had not been declared to the Receiver of Revenue or to parliament.

Du Plooy said there was a need to obtain further evidence and for it to be done "secretly", without warning, to prevent document tampering. The warrants authorised the seizure of relevant diaries, faxes, e-mails, and bank and financial records.

Zuma will appear in the Durban Magistrate's Court again in October. The matter is expected to be adjourned again for the serving of the indictment.

With acknowledgements to Tania Broughton and the Cape Times.