Convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik was "seriously ill" when he was released from the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital on medical parole.

This is according to a nurse tracked down by Weekend Argus, who has been at his bedside for the last three months.

Speaking anonymously because of the threat of summary dismissal, the nurse admitted she had been dubious about Shaik's medical condition at first. She thought Shaik was faking his illness and was wasting the taxpayer's money, she said.

She was not the only one; the other nurses were also curious. They wanted to know what was wrong with Shaik.

When he was admitted to the hospital in Cato Manor, the nurses secretly tried to gain access to his files.

But last year his files were blocked by the hospital management.

"The man is really sick. I felt so bad when I saw him. He would not even be able to escape if warders were not guarding him," the woman said.

He was so ill, she said, that he had to be monitored hourly. His blood pressure was far too high even though he was taking his treatment scrupulously.

"His health was not allowing him to be in prison. If you are a cardiac patient and you are stressing a lot your health will never improve. Nobody will be happy to be in prison.

"I have dealt with a lot of cardiac patients. You leave for a few minutes when you come back the patient is dead. So to be at home was ideal.

"His health was not allowing him

With acknowledgements to Solly Maphumulo, Carvin Goldstone and Cape Argus.