Publication: The Star Issued: Date: 2007-05-12 Reporter: Babington Maravanyik

Shaik Still 'Living It Up' in Hospital on State

 

Publication 

The Star
Date

2007-05-12

Reporter

 Babington Maravanyik

Web Link

www.thestar.co.za

 

The Department of Correctional Services has been accused of continuing to give imprisoned Durban businessman Schabir Shaik preferential treatment.

Shaik has been at Albert Luthuli Hospital for 25 days and is not being treated like a prisoner but "is getting visitors left, right and centre", the director of the South African Prisoners' Organisation for Human Rights (Sapohr), Golden Miles Bhudu, said yesterday.

Shaik is said to be suffering from hypertension and was last year admitted to the expensive private St Augustine's Hospital, where he stayed for 83 days. His extended stay in hospital led to an uproar from the public and other prisoners, who accused prison authorities of giving him preferential treatment.

"Seeking medical treatment outside the prison hospital is a Herculean task for ordinary prisoners, yet so easy for Shaik," Bhudu said, adding that he had received reports from independent sources that Shaik looked well and was being allowed to walk freely in the grounds of Albert Luthuli Hospital.

A prisoner seeking medical treatment outside prison like Shaik is supposed to be chained to his bed all the time except when he is going to the toilet or being taken for medical examination, yet this is apparently not the case with Shaik.

Bhudu claimed most prison guards assigned to look after Shaik quickly became friends with him because, he alleged, they were pampered with gifts.

Bhudu said he suspected that Shaik's preferential treatment "had the blessing of all the big guys" because Sapohr had written to various authorities complaining about Shaik's preferential treatment, but nothing had been done about it.

John Thusi, the public relations officer for Albert Luthuli Hospital, confirmed that Shaik was still at the hospital, but said he could not comment on his health as this was a "private and confidential matter."

With acknowledgements to Babington Maravanyik and The Star.