Publication: The Witness Issued: Date: 2006-11-11 Reporter: S Makhanya Reporter:

Shaik Not Even in a Prison Cell

 

Publication 

The Witness
Date 2006-11-11

Reporter

 Sne Makhanya

Web Link

www.witness.co.za

 

Schabir Shaik, who was transferred to the new Qalakabusha Correctional Centre in Empangeni shortly after his arrival in the prison system on Thursday, is not even in one of the two-man cells.

Instead, he is in a private cubicle in the prison’s clinic.

A reliable source at the prison described the clinic as “much better than the cells”. Shaik is not in contact with other prisoners, he said.

It is still not clear on what grounds Shaik qualified for the transfer and the Department of Correctional Services have on several occasions denied any knowledge of the swift transfer. No spokesman was available for comment at the time of going to press yesterday.

SA Prisoners’ Organisation for Human Rights KZN head Derrick Mdluli has warned that “any special treatment given to Shaik will be investigated” because everyone is equal before the law *1.

With acknowledgements to Sne Makhanya and The Witness.


*1       Clearly not in practice.