Shaik denies threats

Schabir Shaik has distanced himself from an article in a Sunday newspaper in which he was quoted as saying that he wants President Jacob Zuma to repay a R2-million loan, and that he turned down a plea bargain with the state because he feared assassination.

The Sunday Tribune reported that Shaik also insisted on a presidential pardon from Zuma.

Yesterday Shaik said: "I've been ill-quoted and I distance myself from that article."

He said he was not in a position to threaten anyone, especially Zuma.

"I am not in a position to threaten anybody, let alone the honourable president - whom I have great respect for - the only person who will consider my pardon. At this point, threatening him just doesn't make sense. If at any time I wanted to say anything, I would have said it during my trial."

According to the article, Shaik said he has not heard from Zuma since he became president, despite "having been in constant contact previously".

Shaik was found guilty of fraud and corruption in 2005. Judge Hilary Squires found he had a corrupt relationship with Zuma. He was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment but was released on medical parole in 2009 and applied for a presidential pardon.

"I am very ill and fear that my pardon may not come. But I am writing a book with all the details ... with the truth laid bare," he reportedly said.

"I was [Zuma's] economic adviser and then his financial adviser. I could have said so much about so many people and brought so many people down. But I kept quiet, thinking that they would do the right thing. Three years have gone by. This is another ploy. If [Zuma's] conscience was clear, the day he became president he should have ordered this probe into the arms deal. I have been let down, used and thrown away."

A loan agreement for the R2-million had apparently been drawn up between Zuma and Shaik. It was "primarily used for Zuma's children's upkeep and educational needs".

"Now that Shaik is a dried-up well, the Guptas are the flavour," he reportedly said.

He said he was once a billionaire but now lives off family hand-outs.

The article noted that Shaik was offered a plea bargain before his trial on condition that he "spilled the beans". Shaik would apparently have been granted indemnity from prosecution and given full protection among other things. But he reportedly refused.

"He claims that he did not want to talk because he had been part of the struggle and valued his comrades, hoping those he protected would have done the right thing. He said he also feared being assassinated if he [ revealed] all he knew," the article claimed.

Shaik yesterday denied this. "Who would want to assassinate me? For what end? For what purpose? Who am I threatening?"

Yesterday Tlali Tlali, spokesman for the Department of Justice, said Shaik's application would be sent to Zuma for "consideration".

But advocate Paul Hoffman, of the Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa, said it has been proved beyond reasonable doubt to a trial judge, a full bench of the Supreme Court of Appeal and all the judges of the Constitutional Court that Shaik was guilty.

"Yet we've not heard him utter one syllable of remorse or regret or apology. In those circumstances, it seems a little odd that he should be calling for a pardon."