Schabir verdict today

JOHANNESBURG – A former adviser to South Africa’s sacked Deputy President Jacob Zuma faces a verdict today in his appeal against a graft conviction, a ruling analysts say might make or break Zuma’s chances of becoming president.

Businessman Schabir Shaik was found guilty of corruption and fraud last year after a judge found he had a “generally corrupt” relationship with Zuma, a ruling that prompted President Thabo Mbeki to sack the man once seen as his preferred successor. Prosecutors later charged Zuma himself with receiving bribes in connection with an arms deal, but a judge threw out the case in a humiliating defeat for the state.Prosecutors say they may issue new charges against Zuma, but this could hinge on whether Shaik’s appeal is upheld by the Supreme Court of Appeals in Bloemfontein on Monday.”If (the appeal) is upheld it creates a new political dynamic.People will believe that the president acted in haste to dismiss Zuma before waiting for the legal process to exhaust itself,” said Sipho Seepe, a political analyst at Henley Management College.”But if it is rejected, it will make things more difficult for Zuma.”Shaik was sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison in June 2005.If his appeal is rejected, his lawyers may turn to the Constitutional Court in a final attempt.Nampa-ReutersProsecutors later charged Zuma himself with receiving bribes in connection with an arms deal, but a judge threw out the case in a humiliating defeat for the state.Prosecutors say they may issue new charges against Zuma, but this could hinge on whether Shaik’s appeal is upheld by the Supreme Court of Appeals in Bloemfontein on Monday.”If (the appeal) is upheld it creates a new political dynamic.People will believe that the president acted in haste to dismiss Zuma before waiting for the legal process to exhaust itself,” said Sipho Seepe, a political analyst at Henley Management College.”But if it is rejected, it will make things more difficult for Zuma.”Shaik was sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison in June 2005.If his appeal is rejected, his lawyers may turn to the Constitutional Court in a final attempt.Nampa-Reuters