One of Jacob Zuma's bodyguards, who is charged with attempted murder relating to an alleged "blue light" incident in Durban, has been cleared of a contempt of court charge, the Independent Online reported on Monday.

Durban Regional Court magistrate Fariedha Mohamed found that Muzingaye Dladla had not "wilfully" failed to attend court in November last year, on the day his trial should have begun.

She accepted a written statement from specialist psychiatrist Ashwin Valjee that he had seen Dladla on that day and had found him in "a great deal of physical and emotional pain".

Dladla, a member of the Pretoria-based presidential protection unit, is facing a charge of attempting to murder retired police detective Dirk Matthee - who is now 85 years old - by shooting at his vehicle on the southern freeway on June 5, 2008.

Matthee claims that a speeding car, part of a cavalcade, pushed him out of the fast lane and then, after overtaking him, someone inside fired several shots at his vehicle.

The case is considered an important test of the rights and restrictions of "blue light" bodyguards because it is believed Dladla will plead not guilty to the charge, claiming that his actions were justified and lawful.

Dladla's trial was set down for three days last year but his lawyer handed in a note from Valjee, saying he was ill.

This was initially not accepted by either the magistrate or prosecutor because it covered the exact period of the trial.

At a later hearing, the court heard pleas for a humane approach to Dladla who had complained of severe headaches, was depressed, and whose medication made him drowsy.

The trial will continue in February.