The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) on Friday welcomed Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour’s order for Durban fraud convict Schabir Shaik to be removed from St Augustine’s Hospital and sent to Westville Prison.
”We welcome the news that Schabir Shaik is back behind bars, thus immediately ending his luxury hotel-like stay in hospital,” said IFP spokesperson Sybil Seaton.
Seaton said that although Balfour had launched an investigation into Shaik’s hospital stay, it was disappointing to see that he had only done so after his medical aid scheme started an investigation into the matter.
”We can only hope that this signals the end of Shaik’s preferential treatment and that he will not be granted any further luxuries, such as a special cell or hospital bed while, in prison,” said Seaton.
On Thursday Balfour said he made the decision after viewing reports of two private practitioners and a third medical report by a doctor of the Correctional Services Department. The tests by prison authorities followed recent media reports questioning Shaik’s stay in hospital.
Shaik had been treated for high blood pressure since November 24.
His medical aid, Discovery Health, launched an investigation last week into hospital claims made during his stay.
Discovery spokesperson Patrick Lawlor said the investigation into the matter would continue.
”We expect to complete the investigation within the next two weeks,” said Lawlor.
Balfour said Shaik was being sent to Westville prison as it was close to St Augustine’s hospital and to Shaik’s doctors and family.
Shaik was convicted of fraud and two counts of corruption by Judge Hilary Squires in July 2005. In November last year the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld the Squires judgement and Shaik was sent to prison on November 9. — IFP