Prison authorities might be called to explain to the National Assembly’s correctional services committee why fraud convict Schabir Shaik is spending so much time in hospital instead of prison.
Committee chairperson Dennis Bloem on Monday expressed concern that Shaik has been in hospital for virtually the whole of the past five months. On top of this, his condition does not appear to be improving.
It seems Shaik is continuously ”lying in hospital” while he is supposed to be in prison, Bloem said.
Shaik cannot remain in hospital for the duration of his 15-year sentence and a solution has to be found, he said.
Bloem said he will raise the matter with the committee members and propose that the Department of Correctional Services be called to explain Shaik’s ”real situation” to the committee. A date will then be set.
Shaik was again admitted to Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital on April 1, reportedly because of severe hypertension.
He was convicted in June 2005 by Judge Hilary Squires on two counts of corruption and one of fraud and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Shaik started his sentence in November 2006 after numerous appeals failed. He has spent lengthy periods in hospital since his incarceration.
Correctional services spokesperson Manelisi Wolela was not immediately available for comment on Monday afternoon. — Sapa