Publication: Sapa Issued: Cape Town Date: 2006-11-06 Reporter: Sapa Reporter:

Shaik Family Drops Criticism of NPA

 

Publication 

Sapa
BC-COURT-SHAIK-4TH-LD-SCHABIR

Issued

Cape Town
Date 2006-11-06

Reporter

Sapa

 

Yunis Shaik, brother of Schabir, said their impression of the National Prosecuting Authority was that the NPA was a social institution and was executing its mandate to the best of its ability.

"We have no criticism of that."

However, the Shaik family had earlier criticised the NPA because it had "abused" the process *1, for example with its relationship with the Sunday Times newspaper and leaking of information.

But Yunis said on Monday he was now under the impression that the NPA had stopped playing "media stars" and was executing its constitutional mandate.

Asked about recent contact between Schabir and Zuma, Mo Shaik said they had been in contact with Zuma, who attended the "last Eid" lunch as a guest of the Schaik family.

Responding to a question on the extent of support the family has received, Mo said: "This extends from petrol attendants to high ranking ministers," but declined to name any ministers who had offered support.

Yunis, responding to another question, replied "If you give any money to your friend when he is in debt, then you are seen as seeking political patronage."

The dismissal of Schabir Shaik's appeal against corruption and fraud convictions was a "devastating judgment on all three counts", his brother Mo said.

This explained Schabir Shaik's absence from a media conference he was scheduled to address, Mo told reporters in Cape Town.

He said it was a matter of hours before Schabir was supposed to report to the authorities and his brother was preparing for this.

Schabir was "gathering his thoughts" for what lay ahead.

The court's decision was an "unfortunate judgment" but the Shaik family had "not given up hope".

Organisers of the media conference earlier said Schabir had declined to take part as planned, opting to send his brother Mo and Yunis instead.

Asked about the possibility of an appeal to the Constitutional Court, Yunis said the brothers were still studying the judgment and had not yet had time to read it completely.

Therefore he was not yet able to draw any conclusion as to whether there were grounds to appeal to the Constitutional Court.

Yunis said the Appeal Court judgment should be respected.

"We should defer and pay deference to the judgment," he said.

The judgment could have a "major impact" in shaping the country's future.

The possibility now existed that former deputy president Jacob Zuma could stand trial -- and "who will be the next president of the country?"

Yunis said his brother Schabir had received the news "calmly and with detachment".

Mo said the brothers did not expect the judgment to go the way it had, because Schabir still maintained that his relationship with Zuma was "founded on altruism".

Schabir was taken aback but would deal with the matter with dignity, Mo said.

Yunis said if the judgement meant imprisonment for his brother, then "Schabir is ready to embrace that".

Asked about the possibility of a bail application, he replied that the lawyers were in consultation and would apply their minds to that.

His brother Mo said that "Schabir does not believe that he has done anything wrong in his relationship with Jacob Zuma".

He said Zuma had been in debt and Schabir had acted out of "compassion."

Asked if Schabir had been in contact with his wife and young son, Mo said that "lots of plans have been put in place but those are private".

With acknowledgements to Sapa.


*1       It's now time to quickly kiss and make up otherwise the NPA could have a host of new charges against Mac, Mo, Chippy, Jacob, Thint, ADS, FBS and all and all and all.