Publication: Business Day Issued: Date: 2006-11-10 Reporter: Edward West Reporter: Sapa

Shaik May Be Moved To Empangeni

 

Publication 

Business Day
Date 2006-11-10

Reporter

 Edward West, Sapa

Web Link

www.businessday.co.za

 

DURBAN ­ Jacob Zuma’s former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, handed himself in at the Durban High Court yesterday morning and was then taken to Westville Prison in Durban.

It emerged, following his admittance to the prison, that he could be transferred to Empangeni Prison to serve out his 15-year jail sentence. But this was denied by the correctional services department spokesman Luphumzo Kebeni, saying the matter had not yet been considered.

“It is the prerogative of the head of the prison to transfer a prisoner after considering a number of security and logistical issues, including his level of safety and family interest,” Kebeni said.

Sources said one of the reasons why prison officials would consider moving him was that while up to 40 people are crowded into communal cells at Westville, there is less overcrowding in the cells at Empangeni, which was built in 2000, with only two inmates sharing a single cell.

Prof Robin Palmer, a legal expert at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said Westville was “in a state of chaos” and was named in the Jali commission report as one of “worst (jails) in the country”. Moving Shaik meant he would be “out of the media spotlight”.

Shaik’s family has vowed to continue exploring legal and constitutional options to free him, after his appeal against corruption and fraud charges was dismissed by a full bench of the Supreme Council of Appeal on Monday.

A number of television, radio and other journalists waited at the gates of Westville Prison for Shaik to hand himself over, but only saw him inside the van that brought him.

South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights president Golden Miles Bhudu said Shaik could become a hero among his fellow inmates if he used his business contacts to invest in education, skills development and reintegration for released prisoners.

Palmer said the failure of Shaik’s appeal meant that the National Prosecuting Authority might use the same evidence and witnesses if they charged Zuma again.

With acknowledgements to Edward West, Sapa and Business Day.