Publication: The Star Issued: Date: 2007-02-06 Reporter: Sibusiso Ngalwa

Two Months On, Prison Heads to Look into Shaik's Health

 

Publication 

The Star
Date

2007-02-06

Reporter

 Sibusiso Ngalwa

Web Link

www.thestar.co.za

 

Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour will this week send a medical specialist to check if Schabir Shaik's protracted hospital stay is necessary.

The convicted fraudster has been at St Augustine's Hospital in Berea, Durban, for more than two months and has reportedly paid more than R600 000 from his own pocket.

This will be the first time that the department does its own medical examination on Shaik, following sharp criticism in recent weeks.

Medical professionals have expressed concern over Shaik's long stay in hospital and the South African Prisoners' Organisation for Human Rights (Sapohr) has called on Balfour to investigate Shaik's hospitalisation.

Some media reports have also alleged that Shaik has been seen taking afternoon strolls in the hospital corridors and that he regularly goes out for a smoke in the parking lot.

The department has always maintained that Shaik, like any other prisoner, is entitled to medical care if he is sick, and it was his choice to be treated in a private hospital at his own expense.

Shaik - who is under 24-hour guard - has been in hospital for 73 days today. He spent only two weeks of his 15-year sentence in the hospital section of Qalakabusha Prison in Empangeni before he checked into St Augustine's complaining of various illnesses.

He was reportedly treated for high blood pressure and a mild stroke. An angiogram was done to check for blocked arteries and he had a maxillo-facial surgery to remove abscesses from his gums.

But medical experts have raised questions over Shaik's stay, arguing that his ailments were not that serious.

Department spokesperson Luphumzo Kebeni denied that they had been put under pressure to act.

"The minister requested a report on Shaik and based on that report he will send a specialist to get an independent opinion on whether (Shaik) should continue being there," he said.

Meanwhile, Balfour suggested to talkshow host Xolani Gwala on Sunday that fraudster Tony Yengeni had not been rehabilitated in prison.

"Come on Xolani, how can you rehabilitate someone in four months?" asked Balfour rhetorically during Gwala's Asikhulume-Let's Talk.

Balfour went on to say that the decision to release Yengeni had been taken by the parole board, which had been satisfied with Yengeni's conduct.

Kebeni yesterday refused to explain Balfour's statement.

With acknowledgement to Sibusiso Ngalwa and The Star.