Shaik wins leave to appeal

2003-08-13 15:25

Cape Town - The Durban High Court has granted businessman Schabir Shaik leave to appeal against a previous ruling forcing him to answer questions relating to allegations of bribery against Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

Shaik's lawyer, Reeves Parsee, said on Wednesday they would have to apply to the Constitutional Court within 10 days.

He said according to the ruling, it was in the interests of justice for the matter to be brought directly to the Constitutional Court.

If this court rejected his client's appeal, then the matter would be referred to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Parsee said he was fairly confident of the outcome.

"If you are going to the Constitutional Court, you must have some hope of success; it is a lengthy and expensive process; there has to be an expectation of success."

Shaik told Sapa on Wednesday he doubted his actions would slow down the Scorpions investigation into allegations that Zuma solicited a R500 000 bribe from a company involved in the country's multi-billion rand arms deal.

"One must not give up one's legal rights to assist an investigation. Every South African must ensure their rights are upheld."

Shaik was a director of Nkobi Holdings, African Defence Systems and Thomson CSF, which all benefited from the arms deal.

Spokesperson for the Scorpions, Sipho Ngwema, on Wednesday again refused to comment on the matter.

- SAPA