Madam Deputy Speaker, when history comes to judge the ANC of 2009, it will record how it began to nibble away, like a rat at a piece of cheese, at the Constitution it has sworn, in this House, to uphold. Members present here must keep in mind Abraham Lincoln's observation that those who sin by silence, when they should be protesting, are cowards.
Deputy Speaker, it is common knowledge that convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik barely saw the inside of Qalakabusha Prison in Empangeni. He spent much of his time at the plush St Augustine's Hospital, a relatively free man, enjoying a relatively free life. That issue itself raised many questions. Hot on the heels of that grave concern came the unpalatable news of his questionable parole. To give credence to the fact that he was neither gravely ill nor at death's door, he acquired a R10 million home in Durban and was reported to have been seen driving his car.
Now we learn from the media that the prisoner-turned-parolee wants his friend, the President of our Republic, to pardon him. To pardon him would confirm our gravest suspicion, that the reasons for his parole were manifestly untrue and that the governing party misled this House and the country in general.
Equality before the law must apply. If Schabir Shaik is well enough to ask for a pardon, he is well enough to complete his prison term. I thank you. [Applause.]