Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2007-01-21 Reporter: Juggie Naran

Is Shaik Shamming? Prison Watchdog Probes Hospital Stay

 

Publication 

Cape Argus

Date

2007-01-21

Reporter

 Juggie Naran

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

The Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons is investigating fraudster Schabir Shaik's stay of almost two months in a private hospital in Durban, to determine whether he is receiving preferential treatment.

And a prisoners' rights group said yesterday it was about time the financial adviser to former Deputy President Jacob Zuma started serving his 15-year sentence in jail.

Shaik has notched up 58 days at St Augustine's Hospital under 24-hour guard, suffering from various illnesses, after spending only about two weeks in the hospital section of Qalakabusha Prison in Empangeni.

He has been reportedly treated for illnesses including depression, high blood pressure and a mild stroke. He has had an angiogram to check for blocked arteries, and maxillo-facial surgery to remove gum abscesses.

The cost of his stay in hospital has been estimated at R500 000.

Some doctors have expressed scepticism about Shaik's lengthy stay in hospital and say his ailments should require far less time.

Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons head Judge Nathan Erasmus said yesterday he was probing reports about Shaik's medical condition and his lengthy stay in hospital.

"We are currently gathering all the new claims published in the media in the past week and the latest medical reports about Shaik and his continued stay and medical condition in the hospital,"said Erasmus..

"Once the officials have collected all this information and presented the report to me by next week, I will be able to make an objective and informed opinion if he is, or is not, receiving preferential treatment.

"If it is necessary and will help in making the assessment, then I will personally visit Shaik in hospital. However, I must stress, the inspectorate cannot draw its conclusions from the media reports only," said Judge Erasmus.

South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights chief executive Golden Miles Bhudu hit out at Shaik's lengthy hospital stay.

"It is about time Shaik realised he now has a new career," he said. "He has been sentenced to serve a 15-year sentence and he must now start paying his dues to the community.

"He must forget about his past life of luxury and get on with his new career, and that is serving his sentence.

"Even the medical fraternity is becoming highly sceptical about his various illnesses, saying there is no need for his continued stay in hospital. He is not only wasting his time and money but also that of the Correctional Services.

"There are prisoners dying like flies in prison of illnesses associated with HIV/Aids and here is a man living in the lap of luxury in a private hospital. It makes a mockery of the justice system.

"It's not as if he has to serve a life sentence, and the sooner he starts serving his time the better for all concerned. However, if it is found that Correctional Services is in any way funding his stay in a private hospital, they will be skating on very thin ice."

Shaki's brother Mo Shaik said the family were becoming "sick and tired of the media's persistent paparazzi-style reports" about his brother's medical condition. "It goes on and on week after week. Please leave us alone and let us get on with our lives," said Shaik.

This is the second time the judge is investigating Shaik's health and circumstances. Shortly after Shaik arrived at the Empangeni prison, Erasmus visited him in the hospital wing. After perusing medical reports, he announced that he was convinced there was a need for the prisoner to be held in the hospital section.

With acknowledgements to Jayson King and Cape Argus.