Publication: Sunday Independent Issued: Date: 2007-01-07 Reporter: Niyanta Singh Reporter:

Shaik Undergoes Facial Surgery for Abscesses

 

Publication 

Sunday Independent
Date

2007-01-07

Reporter

 Niyanta Singh

Web Link

www.sundayindependent.co.za

 

Convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik, who slipped into St Augustine's Hospital in Durban from prison under an alias, has undergone maxillo-facial surgery.

He was admitted to the hospital in Glenwood "looking like a punching bag … all black and blue with a swollen, hanging lip", according to a source. The bruising was confirmed by Mo Shaik, the spokesperson for his brother, who has now spent 44 days in hospital.

Mo said the bruising was the result of a dental problem his brother had been suffering from before he was sentenced.

"He was not assaulted and there has never been any indication from him that there was any violence perpetrated against him by prison officials.

"He was taken good care of while he was there. Yes, his face was swollen and bruised when he was admitted to hospital but that was because of the signs of the transient ischaemic attack (TIA) he suffered as well as a result of his infected, inflamed gums and abscess on his gums.

"He had maxillo-facial surgery and drainage of all the abscesses that were there," said Mo, adding that Shaik's condition continued to be "unstable, chronically dangerous, high blood pressure".

"His blood pressure is not decreasing and he is not responding to medication. He is therefore being monitored for signs of a stroke. We all know that a stroke happens when one suffers from dangerously high blood pressure.

"Doctors are concerned about him because he has already suffered from the TIA, which is a prelude to an inevitable stroke," said Mo, who refused to answer questions on how his brother had spent Christmas, Eid-ul-Addha (December 31) and New Year's Day.

Shaik was admitted to hospital at the end of November and it was confirmed that he had undergone an angiogram after his physicians had become concerned over swelling in his heart. Initial reports after his admission suggested that he had suffered a mild stroke.

Shaik, now going by his correct name in hospital, will be entitled to stay in hospital as long as his doctors decide he should.

"The hospital cannot kick him out because they feel he has been there too long," said a source. "Only when a doctor deems it necessary for him to be discharged can he leave … even if that means him staying in hospital for a year.

"As long as he pays for his stay, there is nothing that can be done to get him out of there."

With acknowledgements to Niyanta Singh and Sunday Independent.