SA deputy president’s associate jailed

DURBAN – South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma’s former financial adviser was sentenced to 15 years in prison yesterday in a corruption trial that analysts say could finish Zuma’s hopes of becoming president.

Schabir Shaik was convicted last week on charges he paid Zuma about 1,3 million rand to help advance his business interests and of seeking a bribe for Zuma from an arms firm in exchange for protection from a government probe. Judge Hillary Squires of the Durban High Court sentenced Shaik to the mandatory 15 years in jail for each of the two corruption charges, with three years for a third charge of fraud.All three sentences were to run concurrently.Shaik’s 100 000 rand bail terms were extended until July 26 when the court would hear an application for leave to appeal.Shaik’s conviction last week in a court judgment that frequently named Zuma and implicated the deputy president in a corrupt relationship with his former adviser, prompted an unprecedented barrage of opposition calls for Zuma to step down.Zuma has protested his innocence and his trade union and Communist allies have spoken out in his support, but senior members in the ruling African National Congress have been less vocal in his defence.Shaik’s sentencing presents President Thabo Mbeki with a tough decision on whether to sack his popular deputy or keep him and face the ire of an opposition demanding Zuma step down.Mbeki said on Monday he would only announce any such decision after the Shaik case was completed and not until after his own return from an overseas trip on Thursday.Speaking outside Durban High Court, National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Makhosini Nkosi said it was too early to say whether charges would be brought against Zuma.Handing down sentence on Shaik on Wednesday, Squires painted a damning picture of corruption left unchecked, saying to do so would contribute to disaffection amongst the population.- Nampa-ReutersJudge Hillary Squires of the Durban High Court sentenced Shaik to the mandatory 15 years in jail for each of the two corruption charges, with three years for a third charge of fraud.All three sentences were to run concurrently.Shaik’s 100 000 rand bail terms were extended until July 26 when the court would hear an application for leave to appeal.Shaik’s conviction last week in a court judgment that frequently named Zuma and implicated the deputy president in a corrupt relationship with his former adviser, prompted an unprecedented barrage of opposition calls for Zuma to step down.Zuma has protested his innocence and his trade union and Communist allies have spoken out in his support, but senior members in the ruling African National Congress have been less vocal in his defence.Shaik’s sentencing presents President Thabo Mbeki with a tough decision on whether to sack his popular deputy or keep him and face the ire of an opposition demanding Zuma step down.Mbeki said on Monday he would only announce any such decision after the Shaik case was completed and not until after his own return from an overseas trip on Thursday.Speaking outside Durban High Court, National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Makhosini Nkosi said it was too early to say whether charges would be brought against Zuma.Handing down sentence on Shaik on Wednesday, Squires painted a damning picture of corruption left unchecked, saying to do so would contribute to disaffection amongst the population.- Nampa-Reuters