Publication: Business Day Issued: Date: 2006-11-28 Reporter: Sapa Reporter:

‘Stressed’ Shaik Gets Private Hospital Place

 

Publication 

Business Day
Date 2006-11-28

Reporter

 Sapa

Web Link

www.businessday.co.za

 

Life in prison is not agreeing with Durban businessman Schabir Shaik, who is serving a 15-year jail sentence for fraud and corruption. Correctional services officials confirmed yesterday that Shaik was in hospital.

Shaik was convicted in a sensational trial which shone the spotlight on his relationship with former deputy president Jacob Zuma. Shaik was Zuma’s financial adviser.

Correctional services officials refused to divulge Shaik’s condition but confirmed that he was in hospital. “We can only acknowledge that he’s been taken to hospital,” said deputy commissioner of communications Manelisi Wolela.

It is understood that the former Durban businessman was taken to St Augustine’s, a private hospital in Durban, and was under police guard.

The Daily News yesterday quoted a hospital staffer as saying Shaik had been placed in the hospital’s renal transplant unit. “He has not been eating and goes to the bathroom for long periods,” the staffer was reported as saying.

Since he started serving his sentence, Shaik has been reportedly suffering from stress.

It is believed that at least 20 policemen are guarding Shaik’s private room at the hospital. The newspaper said Shaik had been admitted under an alias on Friday last week and was being treated for depression and stress.

Lawyers acting for Shaik have not filed notification of a challenge with the Constitutional Court, the court said yesterday. An official said no papers had been received and would not comment further.

Shaik’s appeal was overturned on November 6 and he has 14 days from that date to file papers with the Constitutional Court if he intends challenging the appeal verdict there.

Shaik’s family has gone to great lengths to assemble a new legal team to take forward his bid to overturn his conviction. Gilbert Marcus SC was reportedly considering acting for Shaik. Nirmal Singh SC heads the bevy of legal minds who will argue the case.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and Business Day.