Shaik loses it with his lawyer

2005-02-23 20:46

Durban - Fraud-and-corruption accused Schabir Shaik raised eyebrows in Durban High Court on Wednesday, first shouting at his lawyer, then later telling the judge he was too ill to answer a question.

"Reeves, do what I tell you!" he shouted from the witness box before the start of proceedings on Wednesday morning. Before that he was heard saying: "Guys, respect my wishes."

Shaik was addressing his instructing attorney Reeves Parsee. About 15:00 on Wednesday, as his advocate, François van Zyl SC, was in the middle of a question, Shaik started packing up.

Moments before that he had taken his time in answering a question and when prompted by Van Zyl he said: "I'm trying to catch my breath. I am not feeling too well."

Van Zyl launched into another question while Shaik looked at the courtroom clock, stared at his wristwatch for a few seconds and then gathered up his papers.

'I am not feeling too well'

As Van Zyl was still talking, Shaik wiped his hand over the top of his head. When Van Zyl finished his question Shaik turned to Judge Hilary Squires and said:" M'lord, can I answer the question tomorrow? I am not feeling too well."

Squires looked at the clock and agreed. Van Zyl then asked Squires if his client could perhaps have a mid-afternoon break in future in the second half of the day's proceedings because he had been tired two days in a row.

At that stage, a strained-looking Shaik was wiping his face with a yellow striped towel. However, outside the courtroom he was seen smiling and chatting as usual.

Most of Wednesday's proceedings centred on whether Shaik had bribed deputy president Jacob Zuma to pressure other businesses into appointing Shaik and his Nkobi group of companies as a preferred black economic empowerment partner.

This included Professor John Lennon of the Glasgow Caledonian University, who wanted to set up a tourism school in KwaZulu-Natal, and Malaysian company Renong, which was initially involved in the Point Waterfront Development Project in Durban.

Zuma apparently 'used his clout'

In both instances, the State produced correspondence which it said proved that Zuma, on behalf of his friend and financial advisor Shaik, had leaned on those businesses to include Shaik.

Later in the day, Shaik testified about failed attempts with an oversees associate, Grant Scriven, to win a government tender to oversee the state garage nationally.

He said that "despite all the political contacts we perceive to have" they had not been successful to date.

He told the court it was an insult to think he was a successful businessman only because of his association with Zuma.

The trial continues.

- SAPA