Zuma studying Shaik verdict
2005-06-02 14:16
Durban - Deputy president Jacob Zuma was studying the guilty verdict in the Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption trial before making any comment, a statement from the government communications department said on the verdict.
Durban businessman Shaik was convicted in the Durban High Court on Thursday on two counts of corruption and one of fraud relating to alleged irregular financial dealings with the deputy president Jacob Zuma.
"With regard to the deputy president (Jacob Zuma) in particular, he has himself indicated that he was studying the judgment before making any detailed comment. As he has said before, and as the judge asserted during the hearing, the deputy president was not on trial.
Zuma is in Zambia on an official visit.
The statement said the fact that the trial continued without interference testified to the maturity of the country's democracy.
"Government respects the findings of the court, noting at the same time that our legal system affords those convicted the possibility of appealing to higher courts," the statement said.
"While recognising that there may be a number of implications, for government, arising out of the judgment, this is a matter that will require considered reflection by relevant legal and political authorities."
Democracy has emerged 'richer'
"We urge all South Africans, including the media, to respect these processes and maintain the dignity with which this matter has been dealt with thus far."
Government has also noted the assertions in the judgment on matters pertaining to the strategic defence procurement process, the statement continued.
"To the extent that the trial dealt with an outstanding issue pertaining to secondary contracting, it was taking forward matters that the team itself had found required further investigation."
"We are convinced that the case itself, including the lengthy judgment delivered - the latter with public access through live media broadcasts - has not only added an important dimension to civic education in the operation of our judicial system.
"It has also contributed in clarifying many legal and moral issues pertaining to the vexed subject of corruption and abuse of office within both the public and private sectors. In this regard and as a consequence thereof, our democracy has emerged the richer," the statement concluded.
- SAPA