It’s a Witch-Hunt’: Stuart Scharnick Claims Firearms Case Is ‘Directly Linked’ to Lt-Gen Khumalo
JOHANNESBURG: Stuart James Scharnick has made explosive allegations during his bail proceedings, claiming that the firearms case against him is “directly linked” to Lt-Gen Khumalo and describing the circumstances surrounding the firearm compliance operation as a “witch-hunt”.
Stuart Scharnick made the claims while giving evidence as questions turned to why he believed senior police officials would have an interest in him and whether his arrest could be connected to his previous actions involving Khumalo.
The allegations have not been established as fact by the court.
“IT’S NOT MY ASSUMPTION”
During the proceedings, Scharnick was questioned about why he believed the firearm compliance operation was a witch-hunt.
Scharnick referred to a national press briefing at which he said allegations concerning his criminal history had been made publicly.
He strongly disputed the information.
“I have never been convicted of hijacking,” Scharnick told the court.
He described statements suggesting otherwise as unfounded and misleading.
Scharnick also claimed that a warrant officer had confirmed he was a “person of interest” and said an IPID investigator had previously informed him that the PKTT had mentioned him as a subject of investigation.
“It’s not an assumption. It’s confirmed three times,” Scharnick told the court.
SCHARNICK MAKES RETALIATION ALLEGATION
The questioning then moved to whether Scharnick believed his legal troubles were connected to a case he said he had opened against Lt-Gen Khumalo.
It was suggested during questioning that Khumalo had retaliated and used his influence against Scharnick.
Scharnick was more cautious.
He said his allegation was that Khumalo was abusing his power and proximity to commanders, but acknowledged that he could not confirm who had authorised the operations.
“I cannot confirm that because I haven’t seen who signed the authorisation on the operations that were launched by the two teams,” Scharnick said.
“That’s my allegation.”
When it was later put to him that Khumalo had personally caused a case to be opened against him, Scharnick again refused to confirm something he said he could not establish.
“I can’t confirm that,” he said.
“I THINK IT’S DIRECTLY LINKED”
But Scharnick was more direct when subsequently asked whether he believed his arrest on the firearms charges was personal and amounted to retaliation over his actions involving Khumalo.
“I think it’s directly linked to General Kumalo, and I’ve said that more than once,” Scharnick told the court.
Scharnick then questioned the manner in which the firearms matter had been handled.
He argued that the first charge on his charge sheet was a statutory offence and claimed the matter could have been dealt with differently at a police station.
Scharnick also disputed aspects of the other allegations against him.
“There is definitely something untoward what he’s doing in these matters,” Scharnick said, before making clear that this was his “feeling” and “opinion” on the matter.
SCHARNICK ADDRESSES SIBIYA CONNECTION
The proceedings also turned to Scharnick’s relationship with suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
Scharnick was questioned about previously being seen at the parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee wearing accreditation identifying him as part of a legal team.
Scharnick confirmed that his accreditation had been issued as part of the legal team.
Asked what role he performed, Scharnick said he had assisted Sibiya with information relating to alleged extrajudicial killings in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly in Richards Bay.
He said he assisted with compiling that portion of Sibiya’s response because he had first-hand knowledge of the matters.
“BIG FIVE” ALLEGATIONS ALSO SURFACE
Scharnick was further questioned about allegations concerning his supposed association with individuals linked to what was referred to during the proceedings as the “Big Five cartel”.
Scharnick said allegations about his supposed association with syndicates and his relationship with Sibiya had originated from statements attributed to Khumalo.
He also referred to allegations involving hijacking and again stressed that he had no hijacking convictions.
Scharnick told the court that, in his view, Khumalo had been given incorrect information and had failed to verify it before presenting it.
That remained Scharnick’s opinion and was not established as fact during the exchanges contained in the proceedings reviewed by MDNtv.
COURT YET TO DETERMINE BAIL APPLICATION
Scharnick’s testimony places allegations of police retaliation, his relationship with Sibiya and the circumstances surrounding the firearms investigation at the centre of his version before the court.
However, Scharnick himself acknowledged during questioning that he could not confirm who authorised the operations against him.
His allegations of retaliation and a witch-hunt therefore remain allegations before the court and have not been judicially established.
The court must ultimately assess Scharnick’s evidence alongside the State’s case when determining his bail application.
