Shaik's fake qualifications

2005-02-28 14:32

Durban - Senior prosecutor Billy Downer on Monday attempted to prove to the Durban High Court that Schabir Shaik was a dishonest person flaunting qualifications he did not possess.

He was cross-examining Shaik after the fraud and corruption-accused completed a week of testimony in his defence before the lunch break.

Shaik admitted that he was not a member of an engineering board and did not have a Masters Business Administration as stated in the brochure of his company Nkobi Holdings.

Shaik also admitted that he did not have two degrees from the US and UK and was not a published writer as stated in his CV.

Despite intense grilling by Downer, Shaik, who is known to have a volatile temper, remained calm.

When asked why he had falsified his qualifications he said it was because of the circumstances in which he grew up and that his brothers were highly qualified and he felt he had missed out.

Questioned about the money owed to him by deputy president Jacob Zuma he said, "Fortunately I am blessed to have a lot of money. If he does not pay, I will not drag him to court."

Shaik said he had no idea what Zuma owed him because the figures calculated up to November 2004 were only for advances up until September 2002.

Downer insisted that Zuma's two acknowledgements of debt were "falsely calculated to mislead".

Downer wanted to know why there was an acknowledgement of debt for R140 000 for money used in the course of Zuma's ANC duties.

He said Shaik had insisted that he regarded this money as donations to the party.

Shaik has denied State allegations that he tried to solicit a R500 000 per annum bribe for Zuma from the French arms company Thomson CSF in exchange for protection during probes into the arms acquisition process.

The trial continues.

- SAPA