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Balfour to check up on Shaik
06/02/2007 18:34 - (SA)
Durban - Corrections Services Minister Ngconde Balfour has ordered a medical specialist to ascertain whether convicted businessman Schabir Shaiks's stay at a Durban hospital is absolutely necessary, reports the Daily News.
The newspaper quoted correctional services spokesperson Luphumzo Kebeni on Tuesday as saying the medical examination would be conducted with the aim of obtaining a "second opinion" on the state of Shaik's health.
Media speculated last month that Shaik had spent more than R500 000 on his stay at Durban's St Augustine's Hospital.
Shaik was convicted in July 2005 on two counts of corruption and one count of fraud by Judge Hilary Squires in Durban High Court.
Speculation rife
The Supreme Court of Appeal last year upheld Judge Squires' judgment and Shaik reported to Durban's Westville Prison on November 9.
He was transferred to Empangeni's Qalakabusha Prison that day and on November 24 was admitted to St Augustine's renal transplant unit in Durban.
Speculation has been rife that Shaik has received preferential treatment.
At the end of January, Judge Nathan Erasmus, the head of the judicial inspectorate of prisons, said he had not received any official complaints of preferential treatment.
At the time, on January 22, he denied speculation that he had launched a fresh probe into Shaik's hospital stay.
However, he said he was awaiting medical reports from Shaik's doctors.
Family says he had mild stroke
Shaik apparently has unstable blood pressure and he has hypertension.
His family said he had a mild stroke shortly after he was admitted to St Augustine's.
The outcome of those reports is not known and it was not clear what had prompted Balfour to order the department to send its own medical specialist to examine Shaik.
Kebeni could not be reached for comment.
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