Doctors who let Shaik go to face questioning

The Health Professions’ Council will investigate the conduct of three doctors who approved the release on medical parole of convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik.

DOCUMENT: Schabir Shaik medical report

Council spokesman Bertha Peters-Scheepers said: “We shall send letters to each of the doctors requesting an explanation.”

Shaik, who was sentenced in 2005 to 15 years in prison for corruption and fraud in connection with his financial dealings with ANC president Jacob Zuma, was released from custody in hospital last week.

He spent most of his 28-month incarceration in Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, where he was treated for chronic hypertension and depression.

The investigation follows a written complaint to the Health Professions’ Council by the DA.

The Sunday Times reported that the head of the cardiology unit at the hospital, Prof DP Naidoo, said Shaik was discharged four months ago but remained in the ward until he was paroled last week.

Naidoo claims that the hospital’s management overruled his decision to discharge Shaik from hospital.

“I was told it was beyond my control. It was in the hands of hospital management and correctional services,” he said.

Peters-Scheepers said that the council’s investigation would include Naidoo’s “ethical conduct”. “We shall also look at the records.”

Peters-Scheepers said the doctors had 40 days to respond to the council’s questions.

The KwaZulu-Natal department of health has said that if Naidoo’s claims are proved true, heads will roll. Provincial health department spokesman Leon Mbangwa said yesterday that the department was also investigating who had authorised the dispensing of medication for Shaik since his discharge if that had been in November.

“The [ Inkosi Albert Luthuli hospital] medical manager would have to confirm what Naidoo is saying. I am expecting the report by the end of today,” he said yesterday.

Professor Naidoo told The Times that he had been asked not to comment to the media.

The head of the SA Human Rights Commission, Jody Kollapen, said yesterday that the commission will ask Minister of Correctional Services Ngconde Balfour for an audit of all terminally ill prisoners .

“If they satisfy the criteria in the act, [they should] be released on medical parole as well. That would ensure there is fairness and consistency,” said Kollapen.