Publication: Sapa Issued: Durban Date: 2006-11-09 Reporter: Sapa Reporter:

Shaik Can Expect Overcrowded Cells: Ex-Prisoner

 

Publication 

Sapa
BC-SHAIK-CONDITIONS

Issued

Durban
Date 2006-11-09

Reporter

Sapa

 

Durban businessman Schabir Shaik can expect to share a communal prison cell at Durban's Westville Prison with between 40 and 50 other inmates, a former prisoner told Sapa on Thursday.

At this stage the cells in the prison's medium B section -- for long-term prisoners -- were designed for only 18 people, KwaZulu-Natal's provincial chair of the SA Prisoners' Association for Human Rights, Derrick Mdluli, said. Mdluli served time in the prison between 1987 and 1993.

The cells had only one toilet and one bathroom each.

"As you can see, if a prisoner has a runny tummy, there is a big problem."

He said Shaik had the right to apply for a single cell. These however held an average of three people because of overcrowding.

Convicted fraudster Shaik handed himself over at the Durban High Court around 8.30am on Thursday. Also convicted of corruption, he was expected to arrive at Durban Westville Prison later in the morning to start serving his 15-year jail term.

Mdluli said Shaik's first meal at midday on Thursday would consist of phutu, a peace of meat, some vegetables and slices of bread. There would be no supper, but he could save the bread for then.

For breakfast on Friday Shaik could expect porridge, tea, coffee or milk and two slices of bread.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.


*1       As one can ascertain, crime can pay - an awful dividend.