Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2005-11-08 Reporter: Nalisha Kalideen

Now Pilgrim Shaik wants to Help the Poor

 

Publication 

Cape Argus

Date

2005-11-08

Reporter

 Nalisha Kalideen

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

It was in Medina that a holy man with a long beard, who sat breaking the fast with Schabir Shaik, asked him: "When is enough enough for you?"

And it was in that moment that Shaik, convicted earlier this year on two counts of corruption and one of fraud, realised that he had more than enough in his life and decided to donate some of his wealth to charity *1.

He was speaking to the Cape Argus's sister newspaper *2, The Star, on his return from umrah to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Umrah is a pilgrimage similar to hajj but can be performed at any time of the year. Performing umrah during the holy month of Ramadaan, as Shaik did, is considered equal to going on hajj.

Shaik said the experience had renewed his faith in mankind. It had also made him realise that he had more than enough material wealth for his needs.

Going to Mecca and Medina was like entering a completely different world for Shaik, far removed from the one he left behind. He immersed himself in prayer and meditation during his pilgrimage.

"You dress simply... you can't wear your fancy clothes or perfumes. You are at one with the community, and you are nothing. You begin to realise your nothingness. And it's beautiful," Shaik said.

He said that if the State, which has temporary control of R30 million in assets of his company Nkobi Holdings, released it, he would donate a portion of it to charity.

"I'd like to dedicate, if Judge (Hilary) Squires doesn't take my R30 million, a large part of my wealth to charity. I think there are so many poor people in our country who need help. I want to plant my wealth back into our communities, into housing, health and education," Shaik said.

He added he felt content with what he had. "I look around at those businessmen who just want to get more... as I wanted to have more. But now it is to have less and to get to the heart."

Shaik explained that the years leading up to his trial and conviction on charges of corruption and fraud had been a "very, very traumatic" period in his life.

The fact that, after he was found guilty and sentenced by Judge Squires to 15 years' imprisonment, his Durban apartment had burnt down, had added to his stress.

"I was not finding the kind of balance ... I was not finding the strength here and I needed to go to the Holy land," Shaik said.

Because of his conviction, he had to apply to the Durban High Court to have his passport returned. He said that entering Medina had been enough to help him let go of all his worries. The experience was something that had helped him regain his trust in mankind.

"The judicial system and the political system had obviously failed me. I felt let down. Many, many times people, journalists ... told me 'You are the fall person', and I said 'No way, my president and deputy president would never sacrifice us'," Shaik said.

He said that when he came to the realisation that he was the fall guy in the struggle between President Thabo Mbeki and former deputy president Jacob Zuma, he could not believe it.

"It was the shattering of a world, for both my brothers and myself, to realise that our own political leadership would let us down. I felt a great sense of betrayal."

Shaik, however, does not believe that Zuma has let him down, and strongly supports him. He said he would be present on Saturday when Zuma appeared at the Durban Magistrate's Court and he would also attend his trial next year *3.

Shaik noted that in Judge Squire's judgment it had been said that he had lost his moral bearings.

"I don't think so. I don't believe I have. I believe that what I did was helping a friend and making a contribution to my friend ... I stick to my view that the funds given to Zuma were on a loan basis," Shaik said.

He has applied to the Supreme Court to appeal against one of the corruption charges and the fraud charge *4.

With acknowledgements to Nalisha Kalideen and the Cape Argus.


*1  Before donation, there should be compensation to the victims of a crime.

This was no victimless crime.

*2  This is just great press from the Independent Group of newspaper after cuddling up to certain of their journalists and week or two before Judge Squires hears the State application for forfeiture of assets.

*3  In leg irons and a bright orange jumpsuit?

*4  I might be wrong, but leave to appeal against aspects of one of the corruption charges and the fraud charge was granted by the trial judge. He has also petitioned the Supreme Court of Appeal for leave to appeal against the balance of the conviction.