Publication	The Star
Date	2006-11-08
Reporter	Karyn Maughan
Web Link	www.capetimes.co.za

Schabir Shaik's lawyer says he could be behind bars when and if he appeals against his fraud and corruption convictions in the Constitutional Court.

Attorney Reeves Parsee yesterday confirmed that Shaik's lawyers were "looking at" the Supreme Court of Appeal's rejection of his fraud and corruption appeal.

But Parsee stressed that this consideration might not result in a leave-to-appeal application before Jacob Zuma's former financial adviser was scheduled to begin his 15-year jail term tomorrow.

"We have 15 days to lodge an appeal … so it may be that Mr Shaik is in custody when that happens," he said.

He added that the possibility of Shaik, who is currently consulting with his lawyers in Cape Town, getting bail pending a Constitutional Court appeal would also depend on how many charges he was able to appeal against. "We are looking at all three charges, but if he is only given leave to appeal against one, it may be difficult for him to get bail."

Meanwhile, Zuma arrived in Johannesburg yesterday after a visit to Russia.

But, contrary to media speculation, his attorney said the former deputy president had not rushed home to meet with his lawyers about the appeal court's ruling.

Attorney Michael Hulley said neither he nor Zuma would be making statements about the Shaik judgment "for the foreseeable future" but added that Zuma "obviously had an interest in the judgment on a personal level".

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