Judge to check on hospital stay

THE inspecting Judge of Prisons is to investigate fresh allegations that convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik is enjoying special privileges at Durban's plush Albert Luthuli Hospital.

According to witnesses, the former businessman who once enjoyed the high life of pavement restaurants and political contacts has at taxpayer's expense cocooned himself in one of the province's most luxurious public hospitals.

A number of medical personnel, who asked to remain anonymous, said Shaik was enjoying free reign in the hospital's general cardiac ward and did not appear to be "overtly ill".

Chatting

According to the insiders, although Shaik is watched by a single guard, he is not in a prisoner's uniform and is usually dressed in casual tracksuits or pyjamas.

They have claimed that he spends his day chatting with other patients and nursing staff.

Shortly after his conviction Shaik had spent more than 80 days in St Augustine's Hospital after being diagnosed as suffering from hypertension and depression.

His stay there was cut short by Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour amid growing political pressure from opposition parties and prisoner rights organisations. Less than three months later Shaik again left the Westville Correctional facility and was promptly admitted to the cardiac unit in Albert Luthuli Hospital after examination in the out-patients department. He has remained in the hospital, which many doctors regard as being better equipped and more luxurious than most private institutions.

Said an insider: "He is not cuffed or chained to his bed like other prisoners who are brought into the hospital. I haven't seen his medical records but he does not seem ill and often has friendly conversations with the nurses at their station."

A spokesperson from Judge Nathan Erasmus's office confirmed that a person from the inspectorate would visit the hospital to investigate claims of preferential treatment.

Hospital spokesman John Thusi could not be reached for comment, but has been reported as saying that Shaik's medical treatment and condition was private and confidential.

His stance was backed up by provincial Department of Health spokesman Leon Mbangwa, who 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. Much the same as if he were in prison where he is still a custodian of the state," Mbangwa said.

With acknowledgements to Heinz de Boer and Daily News.