Letters

Gleason pins some of his argument to undermine the findings of Judge Hillary Squires on his use of the phrase, “a generally corrupt relationship existed between Zuma and Shaik”.

This phrase was formulated by the National Prosecuting Authority and forms part of the charge of corruption against Schabir Shaik.

Gleason conveniently makes no reference to the judge’s findings on the second count of corruption, that Shaik procured a bribe for Zuma with his knowledge and connivance, and to his benefit. Squires found that the quid pro quo delivered by Zuma was to quash inquiries by Parliament into the arms deal, which might have implicated his benefactors.

Gleason claims it is a political decision, but leaves out the fact that Squires’ meticulously detailed judgment is being hailed as a seminal work on corruption by a host of legal academics, including Prof Shadrack Gutto.

Gleason stoops to racism to attack Squires based on his white, Rhodesian past. He leaves out the fact that the black Judge President of KwaZulu-Natal, Vuka Tshabalala, chose Squires for the difficult job of handling the Shaik case.

Sheila Camerer MP
Democratic Alliance spokeswoman on justice

With ackowledgements to Sheila Camerer and Business Day.