Disgraced former police commissioner Jackie Selebi has not applied for medical parole, the department of correctional services said on Thursday.
“We can categorically state that neither Mr Selebi nor his legal representatives have filed a formal application for medical parole,” correctional services spokesperson Zacharia Modise told the Mail & Guardian.
Selebi (61) is currently receiving treatment at the nephrology ward of the Steve Biko Academic hospital in Pretoria after being transferred from prison on Monday.
According to a report in the New Age newspaper, Selebi was receiving dialysis every four hours for “imminent kidney failure”.
The former top cop checked into prison on December 5 to start a 15-year jail term after being convicted of corruption.
The South Gauteng High Court found Selebi guilty of receiving money in exchange for favours and information from convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti.
It is understood Selebi collapsed at his home in Waterkloof on December 2 upon hearing his appeal against his conviction failed in the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Modise maintained Selebi was not receiving any special treatment and that all inmates are referred to a public health facility when gravely ill.
“Mr Selebi is a sentenced offender and our responsibility until he is lawfully released from prison,” Modise said.
Wynanda Coetzee, Selebi’s legal representative visited her client in hospital on Wednesday and said he was “in good spirits” but “seriously ill”, reported Eyewitness News.
Coetzee was unavailabe to respond to questions posed by the M&G surrounding Selebi’s condition and immediate plan of action.
Correctional services national commissioner Tom Moyane and Selebi’s physicians are due to address the media in Pretoria on Friday, concerning issues surrounding Selebi’s incarceration and health.