Shaik back in jail after stroke

2007-11-24 21:13

Johannesburg - Convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik is back in prison after spending 10 days in Durban's Albert Luthuli Hospital after suffering a mild stroke, Correctional Services said on Saturday.

Spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said Shaik moved back to Westville Prison on Tuesday. He was sent to hospital on November 10 after doctors advised it would be best for his health.

The Saturday Star reported Shaik's younger brother Yunus as saying that he was moved back after doctors stabilised his blood pressure. He said although the full extent of the damage which might have been caused to his organs by the stroke was not yet known, doctors felt he no longer needed hospitalisation.

Yunus Shaik reportedly said his brother would continue getting treatment in prison and would be exercising to help him recover fully from the stroke.

Shaik was sentenced to 15 years behind bars for fraud relating to his relationship with former deputy president Jacob Zuma.

He has in the meantime - through his lawyer Reeves Parsee - appealed to the government to release R2.5m of his money being held under curatorship. This to enable him to go to the Constitutional Court to appeal the state's attempt to confiscate R33m he allegedly earned through his relationship with Zuma.

Shaik was arguing that unless the state released some of the money, his final court battle would be severely prejudiced.

The hearing had been set down for November 28.

- SAPA