Many faces of Schabir Shaik...

2005-02-21 21:34

Durban - Businessman Schabir Shaik finally took the stand in his fraud-and-corruption trial on Monday and gave a glimpse of the many roles he has played.

These included being a family man, an anti-apartheid activist, a loyal friend, financial adviser and businessman.

Shaik the family man gave up his career as instrument technician and lecturer at Peninsula Technikon to return home to Durban when his father had a heart attack after the arrest of his brothers by apartheid security forces.

Shaik said his brothers, Mo and Yunus, were actively involved in the anti-apartheid struggle and Mo had introduced him to Zuma in London.

Shaik, the anti-apartheid activist, was later given the task of serving as a "conduit" to transfer money, which the African National Congress received from donors, between London and South Africa.

Shaik told the court the highly confidential information he and Zuma shared also strengthened their friendship.

Their friendship grew

Shaik said that after the unbanning of the ANC in 1990 the relationship between him and Zuma "solidified further".

He said that during 1994 he not only helped Zuma with transport, but his family also extended financial support.

He said Zuma was one of the first people to return to South Africa in 1990 after 33 years in exile.

According to the ANC website, Zuma was born in April 1942 which meant he was 63 and he was in exile between 1975 and 1990, 15 years.

Shaik said he had a home, cars and a good standard of living and he wanted the same for Zuma.

Shaik's advocate, François van Zyl SC, asked him what he thought of allegations that he had tried to bribe Zuma.

Shaik said this clearly did not reflect their relationship.

Zuma introduced Shaik to the late Thomas Nkobi, formerly the treasurer-general of the ANC.

Nkobi was interested in the empowerment model set up by Malaysia's ruling party and wanted to see it fit in with his vision for South Africa.

However, then-deputy president Thabo Mbeki later advised Shaik to embark on the empowerment plans independently and not to involve the ANC in the business plans as envisioned by Nkobi.

Shaik also told the court he cashed in two million shares at Nedbank which he received due to his involvement in Malaysian businesses and received a payout of R1m.

Shaik felt "almost duty bound" to help the ANC.

Channelled contributions for the ANC

This included rent for Zuma who was forced to live in Mellington Court in Durban for security reasons.

On Monday, Shaik said one of his companies, Floryn Investments, had been set up to channel contributions to the party. However, the ANC had no shareholding in any of his companies.

For the first time the court also heard that, apart from being Zuma's personal financial advisor, Shaik also served as economic advisor to Zuma when he was still MEC for economic affairs and tourism in Durban.

The trial continues.

- SAPA