Jailed fraudster's brother lashes out at the media for 'poisoning the atmosphere' ahead of hearing

Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons head Judge Nathan Erasmus is adamant that fraudster Schabir Shaik has not received any special treatment while in hospital.

And, following an inspectorate report which has found that Shaik's conditions were "strictly regulation", Yunis Shaik has lashed out at media reports for "poisoning the atmosphere" prior to his brother's Constitutional Court hearing.

"He (Schabir) was terribly upset by the allegations of special treatment and the claims of plagiarism (made against Shamin "Chippy" Shaik), which he knew not to be true," Yunis told The Star.

Westville Prison referred Schabir Shaik to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital in Durban more than a month ago, after he spent two months at the prison's infirmary and a further 83 days at St Augustine's private hospital.

Prior to 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.

Judge Erasmus revealed that prior to any reports about Shaik's treatment at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital appearing in the Sunday press, he had personally dispatched an investigator to probe "rumours" about Shaik's hospital conditions.

"We were obviously concerned about claims that Mr Shaik might be receiving preferential treatment, and felt they should be investigated.

"We therefore conducted an inspection at both the Westville Prison (where Shaik had been serving his sentence) and the hospital itself.

"We checked the prison and medical records to confirm why Mr Shaik had been sent to hospital," he said, adding that he had contacted Shaik's physician, Dr Somalingum Ponnusamy, for confirmation about his condition.

"As far as he (Ponnusamy) is concerned, Mr Shaik's condition warrants hospital treatment," the judge said.

While The Star has learnt that Department of Correctional Services staff have requested certain medical reports from Shaik's doctors, Wolelefa Manelisi, the department's spokesperson, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Speaking to The Star yesterday, however, Judge Erasmus questioned media claims that Shaik was being held under relaxed security conditions.

"I personally had to contact the hospital's CEO to arrange that the investigator be allowed access to the ward where Mr Shaik is being held, because there is such tight security in that area," he said. "Routine checks are also done from outside the hospital."

While confirming that Shaik was being held in a single ward, Judge Erasmus said it was "equipped only with the bare essentials" and was under constant guard.

Judge Erasmus said reports that Shaik was receiving massages in hospital "might" be connected to his physiotherapy treatments at the hospital.

"He is not receiving any more visitors than those dictated by regulations, and those visits are monitored and supervised … His hospital meals are all prescribed by his doctor."

Shaik's 15-year prison term for fraud relating to his relationship with former deputy president Jacob Zuma has been characterised by hospital dramas.

Shaik's psychologist at St Augustine's diagnosed him as suicidal earlier this year, and his family are understood to be concerned that his ongoing depression could further harm his health.

"His condition requires that he be hospitalised … If they (doctors) didn't believe he should be in hospital, he would not be there," Yunis Shaik said.

With acknowledgements to Karyn Maughan and The Star.