• 4 Comments
  

ON the face of it, it is a simple decision for President Jacob Zuma. He should deny Schabir Shaik a pardon because Shaik committed exactly the sort of crime that Zuma (without the slightest sense of irony) has committed himself to eradicating.
Add to that the fact that if he pardons Shaik it looks very very much like a friend abusing his office to pay back a debt.
But what if Zuma were to deny the pardon? How does that play out there? Here is a man who was jailed for his part in transactions with Zuma. Would it not be cold to leave him with a criminal record while Zuma enjoys the fruits of high office and has no blot on his record?
This really is a cleft stick and my money is on Zuma recusing himself and delegating the decision if he can find a legal way to do this.

Related posts:

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  2. Why the world is watching Zuma’s pardon decision on Shaik
  3. It’s payback time as Zuma appoints Mo Shaik as new spy boss
  4. What Professor Naidoo told the Sunday Times about Schabir Shaik – transcript
  5. Helen Zille’s brutal assault on Schabir Shaik and the ANC Youth League – full text

 

Comments

 

Judge Motata

October 20, 2009 at 1:03 pm

Legally, if gives him pardon, he will be emphasising that he believes he never bribed this man but politically it would be concluded that its payback time. Legally, if he does not give him pardon, it could be concluded that he acted as such since conscious tells him he cant let the corrupt man free but politically he may score plenty of points!!

 

Jorene

October 20, 2009 at 1:09 pm

Zuma will make sure he is out of the country for a length of time. The Deputy President will then have to make the decision. Is this not how it works, if the President is away the Deputy resumes the President’s responsibility?

 

Moshe Nokiase

October 20, 2009 at 2:01 pm

This is really the test of Zuma’s powers. It’s a classic case of damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

I think president Zuma must recuse himself and delegate.

That’s is a Hot seat he is occupying!

 

Sandile

October 20, 2009 at 2:29 pm

I believe JZ has no option but to give Shaik pardon, he is a man of his word, isn’t he.

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