Shabir Shaik joins Zuma-linked MK party to ‘recruit members of Indian community’

‘Terminally-ill’ convicted fraudster Shabir Shaik, released from prison on medical parole in 2009, is a free man and is now campaigning for the uMkhonto weSizwe party.

He is no longer a prisoner, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) told The Citizen on Monday, after public concerns over the sighting of Shaik at a party event.

Shaik only served two years of his 15-year sentence in jail before he was released on 3 March 2009 because he was allegedly very sick.

Read: Zuma and Shaik making a mockery of the parole system, DA

Shaik is liberated

“This is to confirm that Mr Shabir Shaik was released from the Correctional Services system when his sentence expired on 9 January 2020. This means that he is a fully liberated person, not under the monitoring of Correctional Services,” spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said.

At a press conference called by the party to declare its solidarity with Palestine, Shaik could be seen in good health watching on as long-time friend former President Jacob Zuma addressed a crowd.

Shaik is a member of the MK party

Asked if Shaik was a member of the party, MK spokesperson Sidwell Masilela said: “That is correct. He even brought MK banners to the event and is tasked to recruit more members of the Indian community.”

Attempts to get comment from Shaik were unsuccessful at the time of publishing. Any update will be included once received.

Shaik was Zuma’s one-time financial adviser. The two got into hot water over a botched multi-billion rand arms deal with French company Thint.

It was alleged in court papers that Shaik facilitated a bribe from the company to Zuma for SA to procure weapons from the French company.

Read: Schabir Shaik still ‘terminally ill’ eight years after release on medical parole

Shaik was sentenced by Durban High Court Judge Hilary Squires to a 15-year sentence in 2005 for alleged corrupt payments totalling R1.2 million he made to Zuma.

The sentence was for each of two corruption charges and three years for fraud. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

Shaik spent two years and four months at Durban Westville prison before he was released under strict conditions which included house arrest.

The conditions were later relaxed in 2017 allowing him to attend sport and go to work.

Zuma’s arms deal trial

The arms deal trial against Zuma kicked off in May 2021 but was delayed following Zuma’s failed application to have Advocate Billy Downer removed as a prosecutor of the trial.

When his application was dismissed, Zuma caused further delays by launching a private prosecution of Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan in September 2022 on allegations that he leaked his private medical records to the journalist.   

The trial is expected to resume in 2025.

Now read: Schabir Shaik’s favourite eatery names dish after him