Publication: Sapa Issued: Bloemfontein Date: 2005-11-15 Reporter: Sapa

Shaik Grateful for Leave to Appeal

 

Publication 

Sapa
BC-COURT-SHAIK-REAX

Date

2005-11-15

Issued

Bloemfontein

Reporter

 Sapa

 

Durban businessman Schabir Shaik was grateful for the opportunity to appeal his conviction on a corruption charge before the Supreme Court of Appeal, his brother Yunis said on Tuesday.

"Schabir was very grateful that the appeals court gave him this opportunity, he was overwhelmed. He looks forward to the opportunity to present his case."

The Supreme Court of Appeal on Tuesday granted Durban Schabir Shaik leave to appeal against his conviction on a charge involving "a generally corrupt relationship" with former deputy president Jacob Zuma.

"The family is enormously relieved. Schabir is presently on leave of absence from work. The appeal is consuming much of his time," Yunis Shaik added.

Earlier this year Judge Hilary Squires in the Durban High Court had refused Shaik leave to appeal against this conviction, which involved payments exceeding R1.2 million made to the politician.

The Durban High Court had granted him leave to challenge only one of two corruption convictions, and one of fraud, albeit on limited grounds.

Shaik was sentenced to 15 years in prison, in effect, on each of two corruption counts, and another three years for fraud. The sentences are to run concurrently.

With acknowledgements to Sapa.