Zuma will pardon Schaik - ID
2009-10-22 22:19
Michael Hamlyn
Cape Town - Independent Democrats leader, Patricia de Lille, says she is sure that President Jacob Zuma will pardon his friend Schabir Shaik, "in spite of the fact that his terminal illness appears to have miraculously disappeared on the golf course".
She pointed out on Thursday that he was seen the day before (Wednesday) at the Papwa Sewgolum Golf Course in Reservoir Hills, Durban, allegedly playing a round of golf.
"When he heard that The Mercury [newspaper] was looking for him, Shaik allegedly snuck out a side exit and was picked up at a nearby shopping centre by a man believed to be his bodyguard," she said.
She insisted: "Despite the current spin by the Zuma government that they are serious about tackling crime and corruption, we all know the truth.
'No respect for judiciary'
"The truth is that Schabir Shaik is living proof that the ANC and its president have no respect for the independence of the judiciary and that they are paying mere lip service to the fight against crime and corruption.
"Shaik's pardon request represents a test in values and morality and I am afraid of the very real possibility that President Jacob Zuma will fail it hopelessly," the ID leader said.
She cited Zuma's pre-election comments to The Weekender newspaper, in which he said he would consider a pardon for Shaik, as "a clear sign" of what was to come.
She quoted him as saying: "If the law agrees, why not? Why should I discriminate against him, because he happens to be my comrade and friend? How can I punish him for that?"
Shaik's ill health meant he should have been released long before, said Zuma.
"Not just because of my sympathy, but because of the law of the country. If it had been someone other than Schabir, he would have been out by now."