Schabir Shaik is back in hospital again, this time at the government's new Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, where he was admitted on Monday after spending two months in the Westville prison infirmary.

According to unconfirmed reports he was suffering from hypertension and depression.

His brother Mo did not want to be drawn on his brother's condition, but told The Mercury: "As a family we are extremely concerned about the new developments. Clearly the matter is related to why he was previously in hospital. We trust he will receive appropriate medical care. This is a flagship academic hospital and it has some very capable medical personnel. We're comforted by that."

He directed further inquiries to the prison authorities.

'This follows a recommendation from cardiologists in Cape Town' A statement from the KwaZulu-Natal department of health said the convicted fraudster and former financial adviser to ANC presidential candidate Jacob Zuma had been admitted at the request of Discovery Health cardiologists.

"Doctors in the hospital saw him at the outpatients' unit and have admitted him for observation. This follows a recommendation from cardiologists in Cape Town that were sent by (medical aid society) Discovery Health suggesting that this patient be in an academic institution where he can be closely monitored," the statement said.

"The KwaZulu-Natal department of health abides by the Patients' Rights Charter in all our institutions, as well as the right of patients to have their medical details treated with confidentiality. We assure the family and the public that this patient's rights will be protected at all times," it said.

Shaik's 15-year prison term for fraud relating to his relationship with Zuma has been marked by hospital dramas.

On February 15 he was transferred to the Westville Prison infirmary after spending 82 days in St Augustine's private hospital in Durban. There Shaik's psychologist went on record as saying his patient was suicidal.

The hospital stay placed Shaik and his family under intense scrutiny. Members of the public said Shaik, like disgraced former ANC chief whip and jailed fraudster Tony Yengeni, had received special treatment.

Before being admitted to St Augustine's, Shaik spent two weeks of his sentence in the hospital section of Qalakabusha Prison in Empangeni, where he was treated for hypertension and other blood pressure-related issues.

When Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour ordered Shaik's transfer from St Augustine's to Westville Prison, 10km away, he vowed that no prisoner in South Africa would receive preferential treatment.

But he said part of the decision to transfer Shaik there was so he could have access to specialist doctors.

"We have chosen Durban Westville Correctional Centre because of its proximity to St Augustine's hospital where Shaik was admitted and treated by his private doctors, which is also close to his doctors and family," Balfour said.

On Monday Sapa put out a report quoting an anonymous health official as saying "the department of correctional services had requested us to manage their patient who is suffering from hypertension and depression".

St Augustine's, Westville Prison and Albert Luthuli Hospital are within 10km of each other.

Next month Shaik's second legal bid to get out of jail will be heard in the Constitutional Court.

On May 23 and 24 the court will listen to argument as to whether or not it should consider hearing his appeal against his convictions for corruption and fraud, his prison sentence and the confiscation of R34-million of his assets.

This article was originally published on page 1 of The Mercury on April 17, 2007

With acknowledgements to Greg Arde and Independent Online.