Maharaj got money from Shaik

2003-02-15 22:24

Johannesburg - Former Transport Minister Mac Maharaj and his wife Zarina received R500 000 from Durban-based businessman Shabir Shaik, who is under investigation by the Scorpions for his role in the arms deal, Sunday Times has reported.

Most of the payments and gifts were given before Maharaj left the cabinet in 1999.

Shaik, who is the personal financial adviser to Deputy President Jacob Zuma, is the chief executive of Nkobi holdings and a director of Nkombi investments.

Nkombi investments is part of the N3 Toll Road Consortium, which was awarded a R2.5 billion tender to upgrade the road from Johannesburg to Durban by the Department of Transport while Maharaj was the minister.

A Nkobi Holdings subsidiary, Kobitech, is part of the consortium Probida , which won a R265 million contract to produce new credit-card driver's licences.

Maharaj on Saturday declined to comment on the payments or on his relationship with Shaik.

He said: "All contracts awarded by the Department of Transport during my term of office are a matter of public record."

The paper reported that documents in its possession suggest that six payments totalling R260 000 were made to Maharaj and his wife, in the four months after he announced N3 Toll Road Consortium as the preferred bidder.

It is believed that the Scorpions' investigation of Shaik has been extended to include Maharaj and a number of government officials.

Maharaj said he was unaware of a government investigation but would co-operate if asked to do so.

Scorpions spokesman Sipho Ngwema said: "Our policy is not to comment on an on going investigation . There is an on going probe against Shaik and we cannot comment on the status of the probe or any of those involved."

Documents including bank statements, invoices, financial records and faxes show that Shaik or his companies paid a total of R525 352 to Maharaj, his wife or her company, Flisan Investments.

- SAPA