Indian-origin businessman Schabir Shaik, convicted for bribing Deputy President Jacob Zuma, has said he is prepared to face imprisonment.
"Our family relationship with Jacob Zuma goes back to the early days and I helped a comrade when he was experiencing financial problems," he said. "If I have to go to jail for helping out a friend, then so be it."
Shaik's brother, Mo Shaik, who has taken over the businesses run by Schabir Shaik, said they were still holding discussions with their lawyers to see whether they could take the matter up with the Constitutional Court.
Shaik lost an appeal against his conviction and was sentenced to imprisionment on charges of corruption and fraud on Monday.
The Appeals Court upheld a lower court's finding that Shaik had financed Zuma in return for political favours and government contracts.
The court also ordered him to pay the state over $4.4 million that he allegedly made through his 'corrupt' relationship with Zuma.
Meanwhile, Zuma, who returned from an official trip to Russia has maintained his silence on the decision of the Appeals Court against his former financial adviser and struggle comrade.
President Thabo Mbeki also declined to issue a statement after returning from his official visit to China.
The ruling African National Congress, however, has said in a statement that they accepted the decision of the Appeals Court as 'the due process of law' must be followed.
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