Shaik Goes to Jail [The Star, 2006-11-09]

Publication: The Star Issued: Date: 2006-11-09 Reporter: Sapa Reporter: Reporter:

Shaik Goes to Jail

Publication	The Star
Date	2006-11-09
Reporter	Sapa and Staff Reporters
Web Link	www.thestar.co.za

Zuma's friend and benefactor begins his 15-year sentence today

A tearful and emotional Schabir Shaik entered Durban's Westville prison just after 9am today to begin his 15 year sentence for fraud and corruption.

He was whisked into the prison in a matter of seconds after being driven there in the back of a police van with flashing lights.

Shaik, supported by family members, had handed himself over at the Durban High Court at 8.30am to have his fingerprints taken.

The businessman's appeal against a conviction of fraud and corruption - stemming from his relationship with former deputy president Jacob Zuma - was turned down by the Bloemfontein Supreme Court of Appeal on Monday.

His family said in a statement today:

"At 8.30am ... 9 November 2006, Schabir Shaik handed himself over to the Durban High Court to begin his imprisonment.

"We as his family will continue to explore whatever legal and constitutional options that may exist for Schabir.

"We will forever believe in Schabir's innocence and the fact that his actions, which were deemed criminal by the courts, were out of love, loyalty and comradeship."

The statement said the investigation into Schabir had been "extremely harrowing" for him and his family.

"The trauma of his trial, conviction, appeal process and imprisonment has been exacerbated by the intense media coverage, which at times borders on harassment.

"Now that Schabir has been incarcerated, we appeal to the media to allow us to grieve the tragedy that has befallen our family.

"We have nothing further to say on this matter and implore the media to let us be."

On Tuesday, the Shaik family declared what was described as a "media shut-down", refusing to reveal whether Schabir intended taking his case to the Constitutional Court.

Shaik entered Westville Prison crestfallen and a lonely man.

While only close family members rallied behind him - friends he thought he had within the ANC were not be there for him - it appears that they had distanced themselves from him.

Unlike former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni, who received a hero's send-off when he entered Malmesbury Prison in September, there were no supporters to bid Shaik farewell.

According to ANC provincial leadership, there were no plans by the party to hold a special send-off for Shaik.

"We do not have anything planned and we are not even sure about the details of his arrival at the prison," said a member of the ANC.

Instead, the ANC Youth League and Communist Youth League were vigorously defending ANC Deputy President Zuma.

The ANC Youth League said at a conference yesterday that ANC members would elect Jacob Zuma as their president even if he was facing a criminal charge.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and The Star.