Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PRETORIA739
2008-04-09 12:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Pretoria
Cable title:
POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL PARDON IN WORKS FOR ZUMA
how-toVZCZCXRO7483 RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHSA #0739 1001256 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 091256Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4087 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHTN/AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN 5492 RUEHDU/AMCONSUL DURBAN 9717 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 000739
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR KCRM KJUS SF
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL PARDON IN WORKS FOR ZUMA
CO-CONSPIRATOR
REF: PRETORIA 727
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Teitelbaum. Reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 000739
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR KCRM KJUS SF
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL PARDON IN WORKS FOR ZUMA
CO-CONSPIRATOR
REF: PRETORIA 727
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Teitelbaum. Reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
1. (C) During reftel discussion on 08 April, Mo Shaik
received a phone call from SAG Ambassador to the U.S. Welile
Nhlapo while sitting with PolOff. He told Ambassador Nhlapo,
whom he called "Comrade Willie," that he understood Nhlapo
would be the point man for the "issue." Later on in their
conversation, it became clear they were talking about a
potential pardon for Schabir Shaik, Mo's brother and ANC
President Jacob Zuma's convicted co-conspirator in Zuma's
upcoming corruption trial. Mo Shaik told Nhlapo that he was
willing to write a one or two-page document, which Nhlapo
could use. Shaik also said that President Mbeki's legal
advisor, Mojanku Gumbi, had called him last night and that
they were to meet on 10 April to discuss the paperwork for
the pardon, "which has been revised so that (either Baba or
Papa) won't have to testify." He concluded the conversation
(probably for PolOff's benefit) by saying, "You know what
this means don't you? Zuma won't be charged!"
2. (C) COMMENT. Post is passing this along for what it is
worth. PolOff did see Ambassador Nhlapo's name on the phone
when it rang. We do not know who "Papa/Baba" is, but note
that Zuma has publicly threatened to call President Thabo
Mbeki and possibly others to the stand if his case goes to
court. Despite Mo Shaik's claim that a Schabir Shaik pardon
means "Zuma won't be charged," it would not alter the facts
that form the basis of Zuma's indictment and would not alone
prevent the trial from proceeding. END COMMENT.
BOST
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR KCRM KJUS SF
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL PARDON IN WORKS FOR ZUMA
CO-CONSPIRATOR
REF: PRETORIA 727
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Teitelbaum. Reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).
1. (C) During reftel discussion on 08 April, Mo Shaik
received a phone call from SAG Ambassador to the U.S. Welile
Nhlapo while sitting with PolOff. He told Ambassador Nhlapo,
whom he called "Comrade Willie," that he understood Nhlapo
would be the point man for the "issue." Later on in their
conversation, it became clear they were talking about a
potential pardon for Schabir Shaik, Mo's brother and ANC
President Jacob Zuma's convicted co-conspirator in Zuma's
upcoming corruption trial. Mo Shaik told Nhlapo that he was
willing to write a one or two-page document, which Nhlapo
could use. Shaik also said that President Mbeki's legal
advisor, Mojanku Gumbi, had called him last night and that
they were to meet on 10 April to discuss the paperwork for
the pardon, "which has been revised so that (either Baba or
Papa) won't have to testify." He concluded the conversation
(probably for PolOff's benefit) by saying, "You know what
this means don't you? Zuma won't be charged!"
2. (C) COMMENT. Post is passing this along for what it is
worth. PolOff did see Ambassador Nhlapo's name on the phone
when it rang. We do not know who "Papa/Baba" is, but note
that Zuma has publicly threatened to call President Thabo
Mbeki and possibly others to the stand if his case goes to
court. Despite Mo Shaik's claim that a Schabir Shaik pardon
means "Zuma won't be charged," it would not alter the facts
that form the basis of Zuma's indictment and would not alone
prevent the trial from proceeding. END COMMENT.
BOST