The Scorpions have served a new summons on embattled Durban businessman Schabir Shaik to answer questions relating to their investigation of his relationship with former transport minister Mac Maharaj.
Scorpions spokeperson Sipho Ngwema told the Mail & Guardian that an investigation had been launched into the award of the new credit card driver’s licence tender.
Shaik’s company Kobitech is part of the Prodiba consortium that won the R265-million Department of Transport contract. Another consortium member was Thompson CSF (SA), the local subsidiary of Thales, the French multinational at the centre of allegations of corruption involving Deputy President Jacob Zuma.
Ngwema said the summons served on Shaik was one of a number issued in relation to the driver’s licence investigation but he declined to name any other people being questioned.
It is understood that the interview with Shaik is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
In February this year the Sunday Times reported that Maharaj and his wife received payments and gifts from Shaik worth more than R500 000, the majority of which occurred while he was still a Cabinet minister.
The report led to Maharaj being placed on leave by FirstRand, where he became a non-executive director after leaving office in 1999.
FirstRand instituted an internal investigation into the allegations against Maharaj. A spokesperson for CEO Laurie Dippenaar said the group would only comment after a month-end board meeting.
The disclosure of the alleged payments has led to questions being raised about the award of two contracts while Maharaj was minister — the driver’s licence award and the R2,5-billion N3 tollroad concession.
Shaik’s company, Nkobi Investments was part of the N3 Toll Road Consortium that won the transport department’s tender to upgrade the road from Johannesburg to Durban.
Maharaj’s employer, FirstRand, where he became its highest paid non-executive director earning more than R1-million in director’s fees last year, is also a partner in the toll road consortium.
Maharaj refused to comment on the issue when contacted by the M&G. But he was previously quoted as saying all the contracts awarded by the Department of Transport during his term of office ”are a matter of public record”.
Shaik’s new subpoena comes on top of a legal setback suffered last week when his court application to have a similar summons set aside was rejected.
The earlier summons required Shaik to answer questions about documents and meetings that suggested Zuma had attempted to solicit a R500 000-a-year payment from French arms giant Thales.