|
Is Shaik Dying? |
| Publication |
The Star |
| Date | 2009-03-03 |
| Reporter | Karyn Maughn , Sapa |
|
Web Link |
Is freed fraudster Schabir Shaik - released from prison earlier on Tuesday -
dying?
According to prison authorities, "no
objections" have been raised about his release, although
Shaik would have to be "in the final stages of a terminal illness" to qualify
for medical parole, a correctional services official said this morning.
Spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said the Correctional Services Act was "very clear"
on medical parole rules.
"The act is very clear. It talks of people who are in the final stages of their
terminal illness - but that determination is not done by the officials of the
department, that is done by medical doctors who submit their reports to the
parole board, which then makes a decision," said Wolela.
Wolela confirmed that ANC President Jacob Zuma's former financial advisor had
been released from Durban-Westville prison at 8:30am.
But he declined to confirm whether Shaik was in "the final stages of a terminal
illness".
"I don't know... but that information would have been in the medical reports
that the parole board used to make its decision," he said.
Shaik has served two years and four months of his 15-year term for fraud and
corruption involving Zuma, spending most of that time in hospital due to high
blood pressure, depression and chest pains.
Wolela this morning said the department was - "as a matter of principle" -
highly unlikely to release details of Shaik's health to the public.
"If that information is to be released, it would be better if it came from the
person involved."
Asked if Shaik's early release on medical parole would be referred to the parole
review board by Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour, Wolela said "no
objections" had yet been raised to justify such a review.
"We have not received any formal submissions raising an objection (to Shaik's
release)," he said.
In a statement released this morning, the Department of Correctional Services
stated that it had "requested a written report from the parole board to study
and see if procedures have been followed appropriately in arriving at the
decision."
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