Publication: Sapa Issued: Durban Date: 2005-07-29 Reporter: Sapa Reporter:

Shaik Granted Leave to Appeal

 

Publication 

Sapa
COURT-3RD-LD-SHAIK

Date

2005-07-29

Issued

Durban

Reporter

Sapa

 

Durban businessman Schabir Shaik was given leave on Friday for a Supreme Court of Appeal against one of two corruption convictions and one of fraud.

Durban High Court judge Hilary Squires granted Shaik leave to challenge his convictions on the two charges on limited grounds.

But Squires denied him permission to appeal against his conviction on the first corruption charge which relates to "a generally corrupt relationship" with former deputy president Jacob Zuma and a series of payments to him.

On the fraud charge, Shaik was granted leave to challenge the finding that he had discussed the irregular write-off of loans at a meeting with his accountants.

On count three, the other corruption charge, he would challenge whether the trial court had been correct in admitting as evidence an encrypted fax detailing a meeting where Shaik allegedly negotiated a bribe for Zuma. He could also ask the SCA to consider whether the author of the fax could be considered a trustworthy witness.

Several of Shaik's co-accused companies were also granted limited leave to appeal.

Shaik said he was grateful for the judge's ruling "and obviously we will take that option".

"Obviously one would like to be victorious on all the charges but we are in the legal process now."

His legal team was considering whether to petition the Chief Justice for leave to appeal those charges for which he was denied leave by Squires.

Shaik, accompanied by his brothers, bodyguards and legal team, excused himself saying: "I have to go to prayer".

He was holding what appeared to be a string of prayer beads.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.