Publication: Sapa Issued: Durban Date: 2006-07-03 Reporter: Sapa Reporter: Reporter:

Zuma Trial Delay Unfair, says Shaik

 

Publication 

Sapa
BC-COURT-ZUMA

Issued

Durban
Date 2006-07-03

Reporter

 Sapa

 

Delaying Jacob Zuma's corruption trial was "not fair", Schabir Shaik said on Monday.

Shaik, the man described by judge Hilary Squires last July as having had a "generally corrupt relationship" with Zuma, said: "I read it in the weekend papers. I don't think it's fair, but it really is up to Zuma and his team to make that call."

He said that he had not been in contact with Zuma or his legal team since his trial.

Last weekend confidential letters *1 were sent to Zuma's legal team and to KwaZulu-Natal judge Vuka Tshabalala by the National Prosecuting Authority suggesting a postponement of the former deputy president's corruption trial.

Shaik's upcoming appeal against his conviction on two counts of corruption and one of fraud is just one of the reasons cited for a postponement of the case.

The outcome of an appeal against the court's decision to rule as unlawful controversial search and seizure raids by the Scorpions on the homes and offices of representatives of Thint, French arms manufacturer and supplier, Zuma, his benefactors and his lawyers is another.

An application made to authorities in Mauritius, where Thint has offices, to release documentation is another reason for the required postponement.

Tshabalala on Monday confirmed receiving the letter. He would not divulge any decision taken on the request.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.


*1  Leaked immediately to Jeremy Gordin of Independent Newspapers who writes another nice sympathetic article :

Zuma and Thint will Apply to have Case Struck Off the Roll as State Dithers

Sunday Independent
Jeremy Gordin
2006-07-02