DURBAN, South Africa, June 2 (UPI) -- South Africa was rocked Thursday when a judge found a financial adviser to the deputy president guilty of defrauding the government.
Schabir Shaik, adviser to Deputy President Jacob Zuma was found guilty by the Durban High Court of two counts of corruption and one of fraud.
The country has closely followed the trial for 10 months, and the 165-page judgment was broadcast live from the courthouse in Durban, the BBC reported.
"All of (Shaik's) companies had been used at one time or another to pay Jacob Zuma in contravention of ... the Corruption Act," Judge Hilary Squires said.
Zuma is visiting Zambia, and made no immediate comment, but has in the past condemned his "trial by media" and said he had been denied the chance to clear his name in court. He is widely seen as the favorite to succeed President Thabo Mbeki, the report said.
Shaik is on bail pending sentencing, which is expected Friday.
