The mind simply boggles at the ease with which some fraudsters are transferred to comfy places of incarceration, the latest being Schabir Shaik - who, within hours of arriving at the notorious Durban-Westville prison to begin his 15-year sentence, was whisked off to a modern correctional services centre near Empangeni.

This facility has cells for two but Shaik is apparently occupying a private cubicle in the sick bay, where conditions are said to be even better. Furthermore, he is not in contact with other prisoners.

Similarly, former MP Tony Yengeni, serving four years for fraud, was transferred within hours of arrival from Pollsmoor Prison to a more comfortable jail at Malmesbury, as was Allan Boesak before him.

That Yengeni is receiving weekend parole after only four months in jail makes a mockery of our correctional services system, and that he is to be paroled on January 15 even more so.

Ray Smuts
Three Anchor Bay

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So Tony Yengeni will only serve five months of a four-year sentence and the populace are already speculating that Schabir Shaik will only serve a year of his 15-year sentence.

These actions have caused me no end of distress. You see, I have stolen and fraudulently converted money on 10 separate occasions and I have not yet been caught.

My problem is, should I confess to the last theft and in so doing become a first offender, subject to all the discounts on a sentence which may be imposed on me, at the prison and cell of my choice, or should I just continue stealing until I have amassed enough to keep me in Armani suits and 4x4s when I am released?

Undecided
Parow

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South Africans can breathe again after the rejection of Schabir Shaik's appeal by the Supreme Court of Appeal. Justice has been done and a fraudster has been given his deserts.

Employing the most expensive counsel has availed Shaik nothing. The honour and integrity of our courts has been upheld. All Shaik's money and influence could not overturn the brilliant judgment of Mr Justice Hilary Squires.

David Kessler
Bellville 

With acknowledgement to Cape Argus.