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Shaik sent back to prison
15/02/2007 18:28 - (SA)
Durban - Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour on Thursday ordered that convicted Durban businessman Schabir Shaik be removed from St Augustine's Hospital in Durban and sent to Westville prison.
Balfour said he made the decision after viewing the reports of two private practitioners and a third medical report by a doctor of the department.
He said the order was effective immediately.
Shaik has been in Durban's St Augustine's hospital for the past 83 days. He is being treated for high blood pressure.
The medical tests by prison authorities followed recent media reports questioning Shaik's stay in hospital. Discovery Health
Medical scheme, Discovery Health, is also investigating claims made by Shaik for his stay in the hospital.
Balfour said Shaik was being sent to Westville prison as it was close to St Augustine hospital and to Shaik's doctors and family.
"The step we have taken is in the best interest of both the offender and the department," Balfour said in a statement. He said Shaik's doctors would be granted free access to him anytime to monitor his condition.
The department's own doctor and nurses would also be available to Shaik, Balfour said.
"I have also instructed the management of Durban Westville to ensure that appropriate medical treatment is provided to him as we do to all other offenders of a similar state of health and similar conditions." No preferential treatment
Balfour said should any medication be more than the department could afford, Shaik's family and his private doctors would have to have to source that medication at their own expense as the department's regulations prescribed.
He said all conditions applicable to Shaik's classification when he was incarcerated at Qalakabusha prison would remain applicable when he returned to Westville prison.
"I wish to reassure all South Africans that no offender will be treated preferentially, but in terms of the provisions of the Correctional Services Act and our regulations which ensure access to private medical treatment at an offender's own expense," Balfour said.
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