Scorpions 'can't prosecute'

2003-08-19 08:45

Adriaan Basson

Johannesburg - The Scorpions apparently do not have enough information to prosecute either deputy president Jacob Zuma or former transport minister, Mac Maharaj.

The elite investigative unit also do not have an airtight case against Schabir Shaik - a Durban businessman and Zuma's personal financial adviser.

This was confirmed by Dirk Hartford, chief executive of Yfm radio station. Beeld was informed that Hartford played a decisive role in bringing together a representative of Shaik, Zuma and Maharaj and the Scorpions.

Beeld can reveal that:

A discussion was held between Hartford, Ivor Powell of the Scorpions and Shaik's brother, Yunis, about the state of affairs;

Powell apparently said during these talks that the Scorpions didn't have enough information to prosecute either Zuma or Maharaj;

Powell suggested Cyril Ramaphosa as a suitable person to facilitate the talks and;

a meeting was scheduled between Ramaphosa and the various parties for Friday, August 8, but the Scorpions' delegation didn't pitch up.

Hartford said it was "coincidental" that he knew both Powell and Yunis Shaik and he wanted "old comrades" to talk to one another.

"I suggested the meeting as a third party and a concerned, ordinary South African who wants to know what's happening.

"We had to come up with the name of a neutral person to facilitiate the talks - the word "mediation" was never used."

He said he wanted to ensure that the "millions of accusations" came to an end and he withdrew when the parties agreed to talk.

The Sunday Times reported that Ramaphosa, a former ANC secretary-general, was approached to assist the Scorpions in their talks with Zuma, Shaik and Maharaj.

Ramaphosa said in reaction that he had decided against it following a meeting with Bulelani Ngcuka - head of the Scorpions as well as the national prosecution authority.

When questioned who had requested that he act as mediator, Ramaphosa told Willem Jordaan that he stood by his original announcement and he didn't have any further comment.

Ngcuka and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Dr Penuell Maduna attended an opening of a clinic in Soweto on Monday.

Both refused to answer questions about Ramaphosa or the investigation.

Sipho Ngwema, spokesperson for the Scorpions, declined to comment on Monday.

- Beeld