Mac Maharaj and Schabir Shaik investigated in Hawks’ probe of driver’s licence deal
The Hawks have officially launched a criminal investigation into a dodgy R650m driver’s licence contract that dates back 20 years‚ and which involves allegations that Jacob Zuma’s former spokesman‚ Mac Maharaj‚ took a bribe of 1.2-million French francs (R2.3m). Maharaj was transport minister when the tender was awarded to Prodiba‚ in which Zuma’s then financial adviser‚ Schabir Shaik‚ had a 33% stake through his Nkobi Group. French arms company Thales also had a 33% share in Prodiba. Prodiba received R40 each time a licence card was made for the first time or renewed. The contract was cancelled in 2013. Hawks spokesperson Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed the Hawks were investigating a case of corruption‚ but could not divulge the names of suspects in the probe. However‚ Times Select has learnt that Shaik‚ Maharaj and his wife Zarina are among those being investigated. Shaik did not respond to requests for comment‚ while the lawyer for the latter said they were unaware of a criminal ...
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