Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2007-08-03 Reporter: Angela Quintal

No Credible Evidence on Chippy - Mabandla

 

Publication 

Cape Argus
Date

2007-08-03

Reporter

Angela Quintal

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

Former SANDF acquisition's chief Chippy Shaik was never the subject of a fully-fledged criminal investigation by the Scorpions as there was not "sufficient credible" evidence to warrant one, says Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla.

Nor was he currently in the National Prosecuting Authority's sights.

Referring to the so-called De Lille dossier that alleged corruption against several politicians and officials, she said the Scorpions were unable to use it during their arms deal probe "given that it contained no substantial evidence of value to a criminal investigation".

Mabandla was replying in writing to a parliamentary question from the DA's Eddie Trent on whether Shaik was under investigation.

"Although the allegations against the person referred to by the Honourable Member were accordingly considered under the broad auspices of the initial preparatory investigation conducted by the DSO, no sufficiently credible evidence was found to expand this league of the investigation into a fully fledged criminal investigation.

"Consequently his role in the process was not investigated and he is likewise currently not the subject of an investigation by the DSO," she said.

Shaik, who has indicated he will leave South Africa to live in Perth, Australia, has been in the media spotlight again this year, following several foreign news reports alleging that he received a R21 million bribe during the arms deal from a German arms company.

Trent said he would be asking further questions about the matter in the light of three international investigations into the arms deal - by Germany, Britain and Switzerland - that had yet to be concluded.

"We find it unbelievable that the NPA is not actively pursuing this investigation. A possible explanation is that, should the NPA pursue a case against Mr Shaik, who was intricately involved in the procurement process, he could name names and cause tremendous difficulties at an extremely sensitive period for the ruling party in general, and for the president specifically," Trent claimed.

In May, Shaik told the Cape Argus he was packing for Perth, stating that the "situation in this country is toxic for me and my family".

"And it has been this way for years. There has been an ongoing campaign against me, obviously as a result of (brother) Schabir's troubles.

"I don't need it. I especially don't need to live in a place where my two kids, aged 14 and eight, can open the newspaper and see me being maligned and humiliated".

He was speaking in the context of the renewed bribery allegations against him in the media, and reports that he had cheated on his mechanical engineering doctoral dissertation.

Trent earlier this year issued a statement in which he implied that Shaik was leaving the country to avoid the long arm of the law.

With acknowledgement to Angela Quintal and Cape Argus.


*1        We find it unbelievable that the NPA is not actively pursuing this investigation.