Shaik ‘stressed’ after arrest

Schabir Shaik may be dejected and stressed after two nights in prison, but he will have to ready himself today for a second battle to keep his parole.

Police are probing his alleged assault of Sunday Tribune journalist, Amanda Khoza, on the Papwa Sewgolum Golf Course on February 26.

An investigator is due to meet Shaik this week to get his version of the golf course altercation.

Correctional Services has concluded its probe into the golf course incident.

“The police investigation regarding the Khoza case is still ongoing,” said regional commissioner, Mnikelwa Nxele.

“Our investigation indicated that Shaik did not violate his parole conditions by being there (on the golf course). Evidence could not assert whether the assault took place.”

Shaik was returned home yesterday after being taken to Westville Prison on Monday for prison officials to investigate an alleged car park punch-up at an Overport mosque.

Four witnesses, including Shaik, said he did not punch fellow worshipper Mohamed Ismail.

Prison officials said Ismail refused to talk to them.

Welcoming his client’s release, lawyer Carl van der Merwe said the matter had put “undue stress and pressure” on Shaik’s health, as he was wrongly accused.

“One must consider the facts in the matter,” he said of the allegations that Shaik had assaulted a fellow worshipper on Friday.

“There was no evidence against my client, while three independent witnesses had come forward to dispute the allegations that were made against him by the complainant, who, interestingly, contacted the media but not the police after being supposedly pounded at by my client.

“Schabir Shaik is fully aware that his parole is conditional and would not jeopardise this by getting into situations which would risk the limited freedom of movement that he is allowed.”

Van der Merwe told the Daily News, “One must consider that this was an extremely difficult matter. We were not dealing with a trial where parties could be cross examined. We were dealing with an accusation levelled by a faceless individual - someone nobody other than some media were able to talk to and see. My client was arrested simply on the basis of this person’s report to the media, without any evidence and who then refused to come forward.

“Whatever people feel about Shaik or any person for that matter, the legal process is there for a reason, and we must afford people the right to that process.”

Van der Merwe said that he would meet Shaik in the next few days to discuss the way forward and any possible action he may want to take over his arrest.

Islamic leaders in the community said they had seen a difference in Shaik since his release from prison on medical grounds two years ago.

“He is not the arrogant, publicity-seeking man he once was,” said a well known Muslim cleric who asked not to be named, as he did not want to be associated with the publicity and controversy around Shaik.

“He has become more spiritual, keeps a low profile, and offers his services at the mosque quite often during his free time.

“He also receives spiritual counselling from time to time and all I can say is that people should give him a break - everyone deserves a second chance at reforming themselves.”

In an interview with the Daily News before his arrest, Shaik reminisced on his days at the top - he was once President Jacob Zuma’s financial adviser - but added he did not miss them “for the world”.

“I live for the moments I can spend with my son these days - imagine having a child after 22 years,” he said, before adding: “I’m a good man. I’ve made my mistakes, and that’s what makes us human. All I want is the chance to prove myself.” - Daily News

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