Hon Speaker and hon President, while section 84(2)(j) of the Constitution certainly gives the President the responsibility for "pardoning or reprieving offenders and remitting any fines, penalties or forfeitures", I believe that this is a responsibility that should go with the President having to properly apply his mind and serve the course of justice.
Would the President indicate whether he sees it as his responsibility to pardon his friend Schabir Shaik and, in order to make it palatable to the people of South Africa, then link this pardon to those of prime evil people, such as Eugene de Kock, and the murderers of Chris Hani, namely Janusz Walus and Clive Derby-Lewis, to serve as a diversion? What interpretation does the hon President give to this responsibility?