Businessman Stuart James Scharnick, a known associate of suspended National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, has defended his relationship with the embattled police chief, insisting that his criminal record should not define his contribution to society.
Scharnick spoke to journalists outside the Pretoria Central Police Station on Thursday, where he opened a perjury and defamation case against Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo. He accused Khumalo of falsely portraying him as a “serial hijacker.”
Public outrage erupted recently after Scharnick was seen accompanying Sibiya to Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating alleged criminal infiltration and corruption within South Africa’s justice system.
Responding to criticism, Scharnick said he deserves the same chance at rehabilitation as others who have criminal pasts.
“South Africans should be more concerned about the proximity of Minister Gayton McKenzie — who served ten years in prison — to the president. I was convicted of theft, not hijacking, and received a suspended sentence. I’ve paid my dues,” Scharnick said.
He denied being Sibiya’s “bodyguard,” claiming instead to be part of his legal support team, assisting with evidence relating to the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
“The accreditation I received clearly showed I was part of the legal team,” he explained. “Assisting with evidence doesn’t make one an informant or lawyer. I’m helping articulate specific matters I have knowledge of.”
Scharnick said Khumalo’s statements damaged his reputation and put his family’s safety at risk.
“He painted me as a hijacker and criminal. That’s false and reckless. I was convicted once for theft, not hijacking. He has destroyed my name.”
The self-described whistleblower maintains he has rehabilitated and should not be judged by past mistakes.
“I’ve complied with the law, completed my suspended sentence, and moved on. I am not a criminal anymore,” he said.