A dreadful mistake, surely?

How is it that bidding contractor Shabir "Shabby" Shaik (brother of Shamin "Chippy" Shaik, head of defence department acquisitions) has been charged with the theft of documents that allegedly allowed him inside information regarding the multi-billion-rand arms deal, when it is known to all that butter wouldn't melt in his mouth?

Quoth an aggrieved Shaik: "I was not directly involved in the arms deal, yet I'm the first to appear in court . . . I'm caught in the crossfire of certain political interests."

Caught also, it would appear, with the following whoopsy of an admission: "What I've been accused of represents less than 2% of the total deal. So much of taxpayers' money is being used for this. What happens to the other 98%?"

Put it this way, Shabby: 2% of a mampara, still 100% mampara.

With acknowledgement to The Sunday Times.