The Department of Correctional Services is adamant that neither Tony Yengeni nor Schabir Shaik have received special privileges during their imprisonment.

Despite numerous allegations that Shaik has received special treatment in hospital, the department has said these same privileges are available to other prisoners in the same ward.

Shaik, Jacob Zuma's former financial adviser, was sent to St Augustine's private hospital in Durban on Saturday to be treated for a mild stroke.

Shaik was serving the first few weeks of his 15-year sentence at Qalakabusha prison when he had the stroke.

Department spokesman Manelisi Wolela said the privilege of opting for a private hospital was open to all prisoners, as long as they could afford it.

"All these privileges are accessible to all offenders on request. In case private medical care is required on the advice of an offender's medical practitioner, applications may be approved under strict conditions that include an undertaking to cover all medical costs, including the costs of providing security by correctional officials at a private medical facility."

He would not comment on the type of surveillance used to monitor Shaik's activity, however, saying that this information was "confidential".

Yengeni, a former ANC chief whip, has also been accused of being given special privileges.

But Luphumzo Kebeni, spokesman for Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour, said that even though Yengeni was in his own cell, he was only permitted the privileges offered to other prisoners.

Kebeni said: "The prisoners in medium B are given more privileges because of the nature of their offence. They are not high-risk offenders.

"All prisoners are given the same treatment."

He said Shaik would also be sent to the medium B section when he was released from hospital. Privileges include regular family visits and use of in-house public telephones.

Yengeni's privileges were recently restored after he violated his weekend parole conditions. He reportedly drank alcohol and reported back to prison more than an hour late.

With acknowledgement to Leila Samodien and Cape Argus.