Music legend David Kramer was called as a witness in the Taliep Petersen murder trial on Tuesday.

Kramer, who was Taliep's partner in a string of musical productions testified how he, his wife and Taliep would invest in particular productions and share any profit.

Kramer took off his trademark black hat when he was called to the witness box, but replaced it the moment he stepped out again at the end of his testimony.

He told the court that he had known Taliep for 30 years and had been his partner in creating musicals and songs for 20 years.

He agreed with prosecutor Susan Galloway that Taliep was a very private person.

"That's how I knew him. What I would say is you couldn't just walk into Petersen's studio without an appointment.

"This privacy was particularly true after nine at night."

He told the court he had drawn up a list detailing payments made to Taliep as the proceedings of their joint ventures.

However, in 2003 Taliep had asked him to make out the cheques to Dirk Fruits, a business owned by the family of Taliep's wife Najwa.

Later Taliep asked that the cheques be made out to Najwa.

Najwa and three men she allegedly hired to kill Taliep have pleaded not guilty to murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and firearms charges.