Publication: The Star Issued: Date: 2007-01-10 Reporter: Sapa

Shaik Brother Pours Cold Water on Schabir Pardon Bid

 

Publication 

The Star
Date

2007-01-10

Reporter

 Sapa

Web Link

www.thestar.co.za

 

Schabir Shaik will not be seeking a pardon on medical grounds, according to his brother Yunis.

Yesterday's denial comes after former South African Prisoners' Organisation for Human Rights KwaZulu Natal chairperson Derrick Mdluli said he would meet Minister of Correctional Services Ngconde Balfour "to discuss pardoning Shaik from his sentence because of his ill-health".

Yunis Shaik said: "While we appreciate the concern expressed by Mr Mdluli, we consider his statements inappropriate and the campaign to release Schabir on the grounds of medical parole to be ill-conceived.

"The only action contemplated by Schabir Shaik is a challenge before the Constitutional Court."

On Monday, Correctional Services spokesperson Luphumzo Kebeni said an inmate could only be considered for medical parole if they were in the final phase of a terminal illness in order to die "a dignified *1 death".

With acknowledgements to Sapa and The Star.


*1       Mr Shaik should buy himself a "dignified" pardon by ratting on his co-conspirators, Jacob Zuma and Thomson-CSF.