Shaik proclaims innocence
2005-06-02 15:05
Durban - Schabir Shaik said on Thursday that he was innocent, although the Durban High Court had earlier found him guilty on two charges of corruption and one of fraud relating to a financial relationship with deputy president Jacob Zuma.
"I walk in the light of my Lord. I am innocent. I will hold that view till the day that I meet Him... don't lose faith in our Lord, because I don't."
He said that it had been a "trying time" and apologised to the media for his behaviour for the times that he had lost his temper.
Shaik's brother Mo said the conviction was "not something we expected".
When the case resumed after lunch the prosecution informed the court of its intention to apply for the seizure of Shaik's assets.
Shaik, who has been granted bail of R100 000 has been told to hand over his passport to senior investigator Johan du Plooy at 10:00 on Friday.
The State would then start calling witnesses to testify in aggravation of sentence, according to prosecutor Billy Downer.
Downer said Shaik's advocate Francois van Zyl would then ask for an adjournment until Tuesday.
Shaik, who appeared dazed, was again mobbed by journalists and members of the public as he left the courtroom and walked to his car surrounded by his family members and bodyguards.
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- SAPA