|
Questions Linger over Shaik |
| Publication |
Cape Argus |
| Date | 2009-03-10 |
| Reporter |
Louise Flanagan, Angela Quintal, Solly Maphumulo |
|
Web Link |
As the KwaZulu-Natal medical authorities launched an
all-out offensive to show that paroled
fraudster Schabir Shaik is critically ill, a number of
unanswered questions continue to fuel the
controversy over his release.
A week after the parole decision was revealed to the public, prison and health
authorities have still not answered:
• Who were the three medical experts who completed the report upon which the
parole decision was based?
• Did all three of these experts conclude that Shaik's illness was "terminal"
and that he was "in the final phase" of that illness? If not, what are the names
and qualifications of those who said he was dying?
These are the requirements which must be met, in terms of the law, before
medical parole is considered for a convicted prisoner.
Why has this medical submission to the parole board not been made public? The
reason given was that the document contained personal, confidential information.
But there is nothing to stop the department from releasing the names of the
medical experts who recommended he be paroled.
Added to that Shaik's brother, Moe, has given
long and detailed information about his medical condition. Presumably
this has been done with the permission of Shaik.
The document released on Monday revealed that the cardiologist who reportedly
told hospital authorities that Shaik should be discharged also recommended last
year that the fraudster be considered for medical parole.
Read the full story in the print edition of
The Star today.
With acknowledgements to
Louise Flanagan, Angela Quintal, Solly Maphumulo and Cape Argus.