Selebi’s new house rules

2012-07-22 16:00

Jackie Selebi (File, Sapa)

Xolani Mbanjwa, City Press

Pretoria - Convicted fraudster and former national police commissioner Jackie Selebi faces a raft of strict parole conditions following his release on medical grounds last week.

Unannounced visits and random blood alcohol tests are just some of the conditions that are expected to be put in place to keep Selebi on a tight leash following his parole.

Correctional services deputy commissioner James Smalberger said despite living outside prison, he will be expected to obey any orders he receives from correctional services officials.

If Selebi violates any of his parole conditions - for the duration of his 15-year sentence - he could be taken back to prison, Smalberger said.

Selebi was found guilty of corruption two years ago after a marathon trial, which found that he received payments from drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti over a period of time.

On Friday, correctional services moved quickly to allay public scepticism about Selebi’s release.

Medical parole has been regarded with a large degree of cynicism since convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik was released from prison only a few months into his 15-year sentence.
 
Shaik’s doctors insisted he was terminally ill, but the former financial adviser to President Jacob Zuma has since been spotted around Durban playing golf, shopping and generally looking quite well – which has enraged many.

Selebi collapsed at his Pretoria home on the day that the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld his sentence in December.

Selebi’s wife, Anne, applied for her husband to be released on medical grounds because he is suffering from end-stage renal disease.

The department said the application forms Selebi completed were also completed by specialist doctors who confirmed his condition.

One thing which will change now is that Selebi’s medical bills will no longer be footed by the state.

Steve Biko Hospital chief executive Dr Ernest Kenosi said Selebi would have to pay for his own medical costs in future, “just like any other patient”.

- City Press