Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2007-11-11 Reporter: Fred Kockott

Shaik Ends First Year in Prison in Hospital Ward

 

Publication 

Cape Argus
Date

2007-11-11
Reporter Fred Kockott

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

Schabir Shaik has ended his first year of imprisonment, for fraud *1, in a semi-private hospital ward.

Since walking through the doors of Westville prison - or Hell on Hill as it's dubbed - on November 9 last year, Shaik, a former financial adviser to ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma, has spent little time incarcerated in prison cells.

Barring almost all but a week, Shaik has spent the time being looked after in hospitals, including a three-month stay at Durban's St Augustine's Hospital - a luxurious setting compared to conditions that other prisoners face.

Shaik's family, doctors, Correctional Services spokesmen and a psychiatrist have argued that such admissions have been necessary to deal with his high blood pressure, depression and, at one stage, suicidal condition.

But the president of the South Africa Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights, Golden Miles Bhudu, has repeatedly criticised the department for treating Shaik differently from other prisoners.

"There is no way any other ordinary prisoners would get this kind of treatment.

"It's just that Mr Schabir Shaik knows people in high places, and comes from the so-called struggle *2," said Bhudu.

Within hours of beginning his prison sentence of 15 years for fraud and corruption, Shaik was whisked off to a clinic at the Qalakabusha Correctional Centre in Empangeni.

Soon afterwards he was moved to St Augustine's, KwaZulu-Natal's largest private hospital.

"Shaik may have a history of cheating, in his exams and in business, but is he being honest about his illness, is his blood pressure so bad that he needs to be in hospital? *3" wrote Mercury columnist Greg Arde after Shaik entered his 60th day at the hospital.

With acknowledgement to Fred Kockott and Cape Argus.


*1       For fraud?

You mean two counts of corruption.

The fraud conviction only attracted a minor sentence and he would surely be out by now if the sentencing was only for fraud.


*2      The struggle for conspicuous consumption.


*3      Me thinks not, but what is it, 205/110, 190/100, 180/90?

Let us know; the numerical values can't be that sensitive.


In any case, this time spent in the sanatorium should not be taken to be parolable time.

The time taken for good behaviour should only start once the prisoner starts serving jail time proper.

This might cause a rethink on the hypertension.