The family of convicted Durban businessman Schabir Shaik ha been ”lobbying” Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour in an attempt to ”negotiate a deal” reducing his imprisonment term, the Daily News reported on Monday.
Citing a ”high-level source” in the Correctional Services Department, the newspaper reported that the family had made repeated requests to meet with the minister.
The report said Balfour was apparently reluctant to meet with the Shaik family.
Shaik’s brother, Mo, told the Daily News the family would not comment.
”We want the media to leave us alone,” he said.
Meanwhile, correctional services spokesperson Luphumzo Kebeni said he had no knowledge of the requests for a meeting with Balfour.
In February, Balfour had ordered that Shaik be removed from St Augustine’s Hospital in Durban and sent to Westville Prison.
Shaik has been in the hospital for the previous 83 days to receive treatment for high blood pressure.
Balfour said he made the decision, which was effective immediately, after viewing the reports of two private practitioners and a third medical report by a doctor of the department.
The medical tests by prison authorities followed recent media reports questioning Shaik’s stay in hospital. — Sapa