German 'bribe' for Shaik & Co
GERMAN authorities and the Hawks are in possession of a signed agreement in which a German arms dealer agreed to pay a bribe to a group represented by Chippy Shaik.
Shaik was working for the Defence Department at the time as chief of acquisitions for the arms deal.
A source revealed yesterday that apart from Shaik, another 21 politically-connected South Africans allegedly benefited from the German bribe.
Hawks spokesperson Musa Zondi confirmed to Sowetan that they were in possession of the bribe agreement.
The source said that using this evidence it should take just months to finalise the investigation into the German leg of the arms deal - and not three years as Hawks chief Anwa Dramat claimed to Parliament this week.
"Not only is this an easy case, but it could net a lot of those guilty of arms deal corruption," the source said.
"The asset forfeiture unit could even get a lot of the money back (just like they did with Schabir Shaik - R40million), which at least offsets all of or most of the costs of the case."
But Zondi differs: "Having access or having a copy of that letter is useless because we have not received it officially. We have given the documents to the National Prosecuting Authority so that the Department of Justice can facilitate a request for Mutual Legal Assistance (to get the letter from German authorities). It doesn't matter whether it is an accurate copy, if you have not got it through official channels, you cannot use it."
The bribe agreement states clearly that Spanish arms companies had offered to sell the South African navy four warships at 20percent less than the German Frigate Consortium.
Shaik had to work hard to convince the government to go with the German arms dealers instead.
Sowetan has a copy of the English translation of the agreement, signed by Christoph Hoenings, then an executive at German warship manufacturer Thyssen.
It reads: "The last trip (July 27 to 30 1998) was suggested by C. Shaikh (sic), director Defence Secretariat. During one of our meetings he asked once again for explicit confirmation that the verbal agreement made with him for payment to be made in case of success, to him and a group represented by him, in the amount of $3million (about R21million)."
- In 2003 ANC member Tony Yengeni was convicted of fraud related to the multibillion rand arms deal after he accepted a discount on a luxury vehicle from one of the bidders.
Hype
What is it with the Shaikh and Arms deal? Its hard to separate the two, I'm really tired of the saga. It seems Shabir and his brothers know a lot more about this case which posts no doubt in my mind that, to successfilly fold this case the NPA sholud look no further than these family for clues.Report Abuse
Mavhala
Corruption runs in the Shaik's family and the Zuma’s are following suit.Report Abuse
KasiKid
I have never heard before of a bribe agreement, what the hell is that?This country is slowly going the Nigerian route, corruption is so high in Mzansi....
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Kingkaizer
Let the investigations continue so that we could have closure to this matter once and for all. Those involved should be charged and let the law take its course.Report Abuse
Socrates
Inductively the Shaik family is corrupt lots, but what could make the whole family to be like that...oh now I get it, our president has the Shaik and his child has the Gupta, IT RUNS IN THE FAMILIES. Now Zuma will say the Shaik are my friends finish and Klaar and his son (whose alleged rape..by the way his father was accused of one and the Kwexi girl disappeared to far away lands) will say Gupta are my friends Finish and Klaar.Report Abuse
Muzi
Thina sesikhathele yilensangu ye Arms Deal, kanye nomkhonyovu okuyo...Zuma must really do something about it before the whole country go on strike over this issue.Report Abuse