POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL PARDON IN WORKS FOR ZUMA

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