| Publication |
Sapa |
| Date | 2013-02-01 |
| Reporter |
Sapa |
Mac Maharaj
File, Sapa
Johannesburg - Presidential
spokesperson Mac Maharaj and his wife Zarina
have denied an allegation that they took
bribes for a 1990s tender for new drivers'
licences, it was reported on Friday.
Their lawyers also questioned the
Mail&Guardian's motives in publishing the
claim, made by Maharaj's sister-in-law
Shirene Carim, and her motives in making the
"revelations".
Carim told the Mail&Guardian of a Swiss bank
account, into which it was alleged the
proceeds of kickbacks on a 1990s contract
for new drivers' licences were paid.
Maharaj's lawyers told the newspaper this
was not the first time the claim was being
made, but it had not been published or acted
on until now because of its origin and "lack
of veracity.
"Responsible journalism requires of you to
treat these false, and undoubtedly
uncorroborated allegations in a similar
light...," BDK Attorneys director Rudi
Krause wrote in a response to journalist Sam
Sole.
Carim told the newspaper her sister had told
her, during a stop-over in London on her way
to open the bank in account in Geneva in
1996, that
Schabir Shaik was getting a tender
"because he was a good comrade during the
struggle".
"She was going to Geneva because she was
getting this money from this guy who was
getting the tender," she reportedly said.
According to the Mail&Guardian, a Scorpions
investigation into Maharaj obtained
documents which showed that money was later
transferred into the account from a company
which was in a consortium with Shaik to
produce the new credit-card style drivers'
licences.
The case against Maharaj, who was transport
minister at the time, was later withdrawn.
The newspaper described Carim's move as
apparently driven by "courage and
bitterness, anger and principle", and
reported that Shaik, who claimed not to know
Carim, had said there appeared to be "some
family breakdown".
Related Links
With acknowledgement to Sapa.
Like Desai, when
in doubt in Mumbai, deny.