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ID President Patricia de Lille has predicted that President Jacob Zuma ‘will almost definitely pardon his friend Schabir Shaik, in spite of the fact that his terminal illness appears to have miraculously disappeared on the golf course.'

The convicted criminal was seen yesterday at the Papwa Sewgolum Golf Course in Reservoir Hills, Durban, allegedly playing a round of golf. When he heard that The Mercury was looking for him, Shaik allegedly snuck out a side exit and was picked up at a nearby shopping centre by a man believed to be his bodyguard.

‘Despite the current spin by the Zuma Government that they are serious about tackling crime and corruption, we all know the truth,' Ms De Lille says.

‘The truth is that Schabir Shaik is living proof that the ANC and its President have no respect for the independence of the judiciary and that they are paying mere lip service to the fight against crime and corruption.

‘Shaik's pardon request represents a test in values and morality and I am afraid of the very real possibility that President Jacob Zuma will fail it hopelessly,' says De Lille.

‘As a country we are desperately in need of strong moral leadership because crime and violence are threatening the dreams that we fought for. We need to create and instill values in our society which encourage respect for the law, for democratic process and for the criminal justice system.

‘We need to say to our people that the law must be respected and that if you break the law you will be punished. We need to inculcate strong moral values and as leaders we need to provide moral direction and lead by example,' De Lille says.

‘Is President Jacob Zuma up to the test? I hope so, but I really don't think so.'

The ID Leader cited Zuma's pre-election comments to The Weekender newspaper, in which he said he would consider a pardon for Shaik, as ‘a clear sign' of what was to come.

He was quoted as saying -

"If the law agrees, why not? Why should I discriminate against him, because he happens to be my comrade and friend? How can I punish him for that?'"

Shaik's ill health meant he should have been released long before, said Zuma.

"Not just because of my sympathy, but because of the law of the country. If it had been someone other than Schabir, he would have been out by now."