Publication: Cape Times Issued: Date: 2007-10-02 Reporter: Sapa

ID Welcomes Court Ruling on Shaik

 

Publication 

Cape Times
Date

2007-10-02
Reporter Sapa

Web Link

 www.capetimes.co.za

 

Cape Town - Independent Democrats (ID) leader Patricia de Lille has welcomed the Constitutional Court's rejection of Durban businessman Schabir Shaik's application to appeal his conviction and sentence for corruption and fraud.

He should "reflect on the damage he inflicted on our freedom *1", De Lille said in a statement after Tuesday's ruling.

"It is a victory for justice. I was vindicated for the first time when Shabir Shaik was found guilty in the Durban High Court based on my evidence and now I have been vindicated again".

"Now it is time for me to say to Shaik what I said to [former ANC Chief Whip] Tony Yengeni - 'you did the crime, now do the time.'"

It would be better if he was put in a prison cell like any other common prisoner, but even in hospital the public could rest assured that they would be spared his criminal nature for many years to come *2, she said.

"I sincerely hope that Shaik will use some of his time in his hospital bed to reflect on the damage he tried to inflict on our freedom and that he comes out a rehabilitated, honest and responsible citizen," De Lille said.

While, the Constitutional Court dismissed Shaik's application, it ruled there might be a constitutional issue related to the seizure of assets belonging to him and his company and granted leave to appeal on that point.

Shaik's appeal to bring new evidence was dismissed and the court ruled that his trial was not unfair.

"An appeal against conviction and sentence does not bear any reasonable prospect of success," the court said in a unanimous judgement.

Shaik was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison on two charges of corruption and one charge of fraud relating to payments he and his companies made to Jacob Zuma, who was MEC for Economic Affairs and Tourism in KwaZulu-Natal and later Deputy President.

President Thabo Mbeki "released" Zuma from his post as Deputy President after Shaik's conviction.

Shaik had unsuccessfully appealed to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Prosecutor in the case, Anton Steynberg, said afterwards that Shaik's only option now was to petition the president.

"Obviously we are very pleased with the result in the criminal part of the proceedings.

Billy Downer, also a prosecutor in the case, said: "This is the end of a long road - some seven years *3."

With acknowledgements to Sapa and Cape Times.


*1       Think of the damage inflicted on his freedom.

Think of all the Big Fish that got away.

Think of all the fishing still to be done.


*2      One criminal down, many to come.


*3      Maybe the end of one long road, but just started down a new long road - some two years down and another five to go?