Ex-journo ‘trying to pull a Shaik’ in fraud trial

A FORMER activist and journalist has been accused of trying to pull a “Schabir Shaik move” in an attempt to get a suspended sentence in his fraud trial.

Citing ill health, Zahid Asmal, formerly with the Palestine Solidarity Alliance as well as Eyewitness News and Radio Islam, sought to broker a plea bargain with the State.

This would have seen him pleading guilty to all 18 counts of fraud he’s facing in return for a suspended sentence.

Asmal has apparently collapsed several times during his trial in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. He proved to the State that he has a brain tumour.

But the plea negotiations failed because his seven accusers would have none of it. “He’s a pulling a Schabir Shaik move on us, saying: ‘I’m sick, I can’t go to court,’ ” one of his alleged victims told The Star.

“The matter has gone to court several times. Each time he faints before the magistrate, forcing postponement.”

Asmal was arrested two years ago for allegedly defrauding residents of Lenasia. “He targeted the Indian Muslim community.

“Money he took from people ranged from R2 000 to R6 million. It reached a stage where a case was opened by the end of 2016,” said the victim.

It’s alleged that he told his victims the money was invested in a project that would get local government contracts.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that the 18 counts of fraud he was facing related to swindling R13.9m from seven complainants.

Asmal was believed to have scored as much as R50m through his alleged scam. His victim said many others in Lenasia had not come forward because they had given him millions of rand in cash.

They feared they would be slapped with money-laundering charges.

The NPA confirmed that plea negotiations had taken place. Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Louw-Mjonondwane said they had not been successful because complainants were not satisfied with the proposed sentence. She confirmed the talks were based on his ill health. “The accused has collapsed twice in court. He had what appeared to be epileptic episodes.” As soon as he recovered from these episodes, the case would be dealt with.

Louw-Mjonondwane said medical evidence supplied proved Asmal had a brain tumour, “which causes fits and has also affected his speech”.

“This evidence, however, does not exonerate him from the offences as he well understood what he was doing.

“The community can be assured that the illness of the accused will not deter the State from pursuing the charges against him.”

Asmal was expected back in court today.