Shaik medical parole 'absurd'

2007-01-08 23:01

Durban - Calls for convicted Durban businessman Schabir Shaik to be released on medical grounds were labelled on Monday as "baseless, absurd, silly, nonsensical and somehow opportunistic".

The organisation that is against Shaik's release on these grounds is the South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights (Sapohr).

Sapohr president Golden Miles Bhudu comments come after reports that former Sapohr KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Derrick Mdluli would be approaching Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour "to discuss pardoning Shaik from his sentence because of his ill health".

The Daily News in Durban reported that Mdluli would be meeting with Shaik on Monday. Mdluli could not be reached for comment.

Questioned authenticity

Mdluli made the statements in his capacity as KwaZulu-Natal chairperson of a little-known organisation, the Justice for Prisoners and Detainees Organisation for Human Rights.

Bhudu said he questioned the organisation's authenticity.

Bhudu said: "We were aware all along about his close relationship with Mr Schabir Shaik, long before his conviction and imprisonment."

Shaik was admitted to St Augustine's renal transplant unit on November 24 last year under the alias "Mr Jones".

Shaik has spent, effectively, only two days behind bars.

Shaik was reported to have had a mild stroke shortly after being admitted to St Augustine's Hospital in Durban.

The Sunday Tribune reported last weekend that Shaik had undergone facial surgery.

Mo Shaik, Schabir Shaik's brother, said: "We are aware that he (Mdluli) had applied to get permission (to visit Schabir Schaik)."

However, he was not prepared on Monday to comment on Mdluli's statements to the media.

"We want to keep our mouths shut," he said.

Family must make approach

Correctional services spokesperson Luphumzo Kebeni said no organisation could approach the department for a medical parole.

He said Shaik or his family would have to approach the department directly and "not through a third party".

He also referred to the relevant section of the correctional services legislation which said that an inmate could be considered for medical parole only if a person is "in the final phase" of a terminal illness in order that that prisoner may die a "dignified death".

- SAPA