Shaik Pardon: another irreconcilable statement from the Presidency

The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with astonishment that presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has reportedly claimed President Zuma never denied that Schabir Shaik has applied for a presidential pardon.

Mr. Magwenya is quoted making this claim this morning by the South African Press Association.

Yet the President has been recorded on national television stating of Shaik's pardon application: "Why should I pardon him when he has not applied?"

Just as the Presidency's statement in October last year spelt out in black and white the fact that Shaik had applied for a pardon - directly refuting the President's comment yesterday - so the President has been recorded on television stating unequivocally that Shaik has not applied for a parole - a fact that directly contradicts Mr. Magwenya's claim.

Twice in two days we have seen irreconcilable statements from the Presidency - first from the President himself, and now from his spokesperson. And all of this serves to illustrate just how desperate the President is to avoid answering the straightforward question: is he considering pardoning Schabir Shaik and Eugene de Kock?

South Africans deserve better than ‘confuse and conquer' tactics. What we need is a proper answer to a very simple question.

Statement issued by James Selfe, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of correctional services, January 12 2010

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