Durban

The ”Baby Boks” edged out France 15-9 in a game of penalties on Saturday in the International Rugby Board Under-19 World rugby championship being played at the Absa Stadium in Durban. The South Africans converted five penalties to the three of France to keep their unbeaten record.

Durban High Court Judge Hillary Squires turned down a late application by the state to reopen its case on Thursday, thereby effectively ending the Schabir Shaik trial, which started in October. ”I’m glad it’s come to an end,” Shaik told journalists outside the court, adding that ”much of the burden of the stress of this case is over”.

The defence in the Schabir Shaik trial on Thursday rested its case in the Durban High Court, but the State has applied to again lead evidence to prove the authenticity of a two-page document. Prosecutor Billy Downer said that the state was ”taken by surprise” when Shaik denied any knowledge of the document, known as BBB1 and 2.

A forensic auditor has told the Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption trial that money paid on behalf of Deputy President Jacob Zuma did not affect the financial state of Shaik’s Nkobi group of companies. Gregory Johnson, who runs a private auditing and accounting firm, was giving evidence for the defence.

Chiefs dropped two valuable points when they held Lamontville Golden Arrows to a 1-1 draw in an entertaining Castle Premiership encounter played at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The home side led 1-0 at the interval thanks to a goal by Bheka Phakathi in the 38th minute.

The Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption trial resumes in the Durban High Court on Monday. Shaik’s instructing attorney, Reeves Parsee, said the defence will call a further two, or possibly three, witnesses but remained tight-lipped about who they will be. The state will also apply to call two more witnesses.

Manning Rangers’ woes continued when they were beaten 1-0 by a 10-man Supersport United in their Castle Premiership encounter played at Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday night. Supersport finished the game a man down following a red card given to Edward Williams after his second bookable offence in the 50th minute.

The board of directors of Natal Sharks and the South African Rugby Union have asked Kevin Putt to step down as head coach of the Sharks Super 12 regional team with immediate effect. Past home-grown Sharks and Springbok great Dick Muir has been asked to step into the breach and take over the reins as head coach.

No one among the stunned crowd of 26 000 spectators at the Absa Stadium in Durban on Saturday night could have expected such a bad start for the beleaguered Sharks in their Super 12 rugby match against the Highlanders from New Zealand as they reeled back from three hammer blows within the first 11 minutes.

Deputy President Jacob Zuma’s legal adviser Linda Makathini saw only a copy of a loan agreement between Zuma and Schabir Shaik, the Durban High Court heard on Monday. Since the start of Shaik’s trial, the state has been trying to locate the original loan document.

The prosecution in the Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption trial has asked the state to change Shaik’s bail conditions after he launched a verbal attack on advocate Anton Steynberg before the start of proceedings in courtroom A on Friday. ”I’m not scared of you, I’ll sort you out after the trial,” Shaik shouted at the prosecutor.

A French arms-company executive told the Durban High Court on Friday it is usual to have high-level political contacts when trying to sell arms abroad. The executive is the first representative of the company to testify in the Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption trial.

Deputy President Jacob Zuma’s legal adviser Julie Mahomed went into the witness box at the Schabir Shaik fraud and corruption trial in the Durban High Court on Thursday. She has testified about a loan agreement that she drew up between Zuma and Shaik in May 1999.

Bafana Bafana defender Mbulelo Mabizela joined Norwegian side Valerenga on Monday after being without a club for almost six months. The big Mabizela has been without a club after English Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur terminated his contract last October. He tried his luck at various clubs in Europe and Scandinavia without any joy.

Incessant questioning by relentless prosecutor Billy Downer appears to be taking its toll on fraud and corruption accused Schabir Shaik in the Durban High Court. ”It’s been a long trial. I have been under a lot of stress and my words are spinning out of context,” Shaik said at one stage.

Lamontville Golden Arrows shoved Bush Bucks closer to relegation when they trounced them 3-1 in a Castle Premiership encounter played at King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The home side led 1-0 at interval thanks to a strike by Papi Zothwane, who converted a pinpoint cross ball from Mabhuti Khanyeza in the third minute.

Senior prosecutor Billy Downer on Monday tried to prove to the Durban High Court that Schabir Shaik was a dishonest person flaunting qualifications he did not possess. He was cross-examining Shaik after the fraud and corruption-accused completed a week of testimony in his defence before the lunch break.

Fraud and corruption accused Schabir Shaik completed his testimony in the Durban High Court on Monday. During his testimony, he said he had never tried to mislead the South African Revenue Service, shareholders of his companies, or banks. He has also denied state allegations that he tried to solicit a R500 000-a-year bribe for Deputy President Jacob Zuma.