'But we have foiled escapes too'

The Department of Correctional Services could have handled the cases of high-profile prisoners such as Schabir Shaik, Ananias Mathe and the parole of Tony Yengeni better, Minister Ngconde Balfour said yesterday.

Responding to a question from a reporter about whether he was satisfied with how his department had handled these cases and if he had any regrets, Balfour said: "I don't think at any stage any department could say we couldn't have improved; surely if you do something, you say I could have done some improvements here and there."

The escape of Mathe from the C-Max prison in Pretoria in November embarrassed the department as the jail is considered one of the most secure in the country.

Balfour said: "The case you should be looking at is the escape of the Boeremag but you don't make an issue out of that. You make an issue out of one awaiting-trial detainee (Mathe) who escaped and he's back (in prison). There are attempted escapes that have been foiled by my officials," he said.

The department faced criticism from opposition parties and prison rights organisations over the perceived preferential treatment of Shaik and Yengeni while the latter was held at Malmesbury prison.

The Mathe case has been a topical issue which has even pitted ANC leaders against each other, with the chairman of the Correctional Services portfolio committee and ANC MP, Dennis Bloem, publicly clashing with Balfour over the issue.

Nine warders were suspended in connection with Mathe's escape - he is considered one of the most dangerous prisoners and is awaiting trial on more than 50 charges of rape, murder and robbery.

During Balfour's budget debate in Parliament, the case of Mathe issue came up again when Bloem said it was unacceptable that the suspended warders had not yet been charged.

There were still unanswered questions in relation to Mathe's escape, he said.

Democratic Alliance MP James Selfe accused the department of wanting to whitewash the "disgraceful episode" of Mathe's escape.

The Inspecting Judge of Prisons is to probe claims that convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik has special privileges at Durban's plush Albert Luthuli Hospital.

The Daily News reported yesterday that Judge Nathan Erasmus's office had said an inspectorate official would visit the hospital to investigate allegations of preferential treatment.

Hospital staff members, who asked not be named, said Shaik was enjoying free rein in the general cardiac ward and did not appear to be "overtly ill".

According to the insiders, Shaik did not wear a prisoner uniform and was usually dressed in casual tracksuits or pyjamas. He was being watched by a single guard.

Shortly after his conviction, Shaik spent more than 80 days in St Augustine's Hospital after being diagnosed with hypertension and depression.

His stay there was cut short by Balfour amid political pressure from opposition parties and prisoner rights organisations.

About three months later, Shaik was admitted to the cardiac unit in Albert Luthuli Hospital after examination in the out-patients department.

Provincial health spokesman Leon Mbangwa said the right to confidentiality prevented him from commenting on Shaik's condition.

"How much it costs the department to keep him in hospital depends on his ailment and treatment," Mbangwa said. - Sapa

With acknowledgement to Sibusiso Ngalwa and Cape Argus.