Has correctional services kept an eye on Schabir Shaik's 'terminal' illness?
The Correctional Services Minister would not reveal the identities of the doctors who diagnosed and approved Schabir Shaik's release.
Schabir Shaik outside a shop on 25 July 2012 in Durban. Picture: Gallo Images / Franco Megannon
The Department of Correctional Services has revealed extremely limited information about the monitoring of convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik's health since his controversial medical parole release in 2009.
Minister of Correctional Services Dr. Pieter Groenewald recently responded to questions from the DA's Michele Clarke regarding the oversight of Shaik's medical condition.
Details of Schabir Shaik's doctors protected
When asked about the medical professionals who diagnosed and approved Shaik's release, Groenewald cited privacy regulations as a barrier to disclosure.
'The names of the doctors should be requested in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia), 04 of 2013,' Groenewald stated.
He applied the same privacy restriction to questions about their qualifications and employment positions.
While declining to reveal the identities of individual medical professionals, the minister confirmed that the Durban Correctional Supervision and Parole Board approved Shaik's release.
Regarding Shaik's specific medical diagnosis, Groenewald emphasised confidentiality requirements.
'In terms of ethical and legal requirements, patient information must be kept confidential, thus ensuring maintenance of professional secrecy,' he stated.
ALSO READ: Groenewald confirms foreigners with life sentences were paroled… and deported
No ongoing health monitoring required
The minister clarified that the department has no obligation to monitor the health of parolees released on medical grounds.
'The department did a medical assessment on the parolee before he was released on medical parole.
'There is no provision by DCS Medical Parole Policy for reassessment of any parolee,' Groenewald explained.
He added that Shaik 'was consulting his own medical doctor and psychologist' and that he had complied with his parole conditions, including 'house arrest, office consultation, social work programmes and was monitored as per policy'.
The department also does not provide ongoing medical treatment to those released on medical parole.
'Offenders placed on medical parole are provided with referral letters for continuity of care in the community,' added the minister.
ALSO READ: Confirmed: How many inmates were granted parole – and how many were sent back to prison
Schabir Shaik's controversial release
Shaik, who had close ties to former president Jacob Zuma, was convicted of fraud and corruption in 2005 and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
His release on medical parole in 2009 came after serving just two years and four months of his sentence, as he was deemed 'terminally ill' at the time.
The circumstances surrounding his parole were widely criticised as unlawful, eventually leading to amendments to section 79 of the Correctional Services Act to strengthen the requirements for medical parole.
Shaik's sentence officially expired in January 2020, making him a free man.
He has since become a member of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, led by Zuma.
NOW READ: WATCH: Zondo questions Zuma's release from prison on medical parole
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Finextra
4 minutes ago
- Finextra
BCP launches British pound stablecoin
BCP Technologies has launched the first British pound-backed stablecoin from an FCA-registered crypto issuer. 0 BCP's tokenised GBP (tGBP) is backed 1:1 by reserves held in a segregated account at a UK-regulated financial institution and is fully redeemable for sterling at any time. BCP says the stablecoin is now live after more than a year-long review process, including a month in the FCA's regulatory sandbox. As the stablecoin market heats up, the firm is hoping to take advantage of the fact that GBP options have so far been limited, typically issued by offshore entities with low liquidity. It says that tGBP uses the reliability of UK financial infrastructure for the minting and redeeming process and has the flexibility and speed of blockchain technology. Benoit Marzouk, CEO, BCP Technologies, says: "tGBP supports a broad range of use cases: GBP self-custody for retail and corporates to bring an alternative from banks (and their inherent fractional reserve risk), cross-border payments, institutional collateral management, a GBP option for DeFi lending protocols and a GBP on-chain access for bitcoin-backed loans. "It might also be used in the future as the main GBP rail for settling tokenised assets like bonds, securities, or real estate."
Hans India
4 minutes ago
- Hans India
100-day action plan begins: Revanth shifts focus to ULBs
The 100-day action plan initiative got an inspiring start on Tuesday with a record 36,900 citizens joining hands in a spirited rally spanning over 250 km, marking a bold step towards transformation Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has now shifted focus to streamlining administration in urban areas. Following his directions, the Municipal Administration Department has launched a 100-day action plan with emphasis on improving urban governance, public health, environmental sustainability, and citizen engagement across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). According to officials, the key objectives of the action plan include enhancing solid waste management and sanitation systems, ensuring monsoon preparedness through critical civic infrastructure improvements, driving behavioural change and community participation through extensive IEC (information education and communication) campaigns on solid waste management, promoting urban greenery and beautification efforts for cleaner cities, conducting a comprehensive Bhuvan Survey for identification of unassessed and under-assessed properties in ULBs and bring them in tax net. The officials said that the 100-day action plan initiative got an inspiring start on Tuesday with a record 36,900 citizens joining hands in a spirited rally spanning over 250 km, marking a bold step towards transformation. The official said that products of 280 self-help groups were assembled for display-cum-sales at stalls across ULBs, which generated a revenue of Rs 3.94 lakh. From local residents to public representatives, bureaucrats, SHGs, NGOs, etc everyone marched together with a mission 'cleaner, healthier and more resilient urban areas'. The activities proposed to be taken up in the ULBs include campaign launch and IEC drive focusing on awareness through media rallies, door-to-door outreach, de-siltation of storm water drains and removal of debris to prevent water-logging, waste segregation and c omposting at household level, supported by audits and community outreach, updation of water connections and taking up Bhuvan Survey for improved municipal records and enforcement, improving water quality and ensuring mosquito control through chlorination, oil balls, and gambusia fish release, launching Vana mahotsavam, avenue plantation, and Shramadanam, development of at least 1 junction, park and inauguration, training programs for staff and newly formed ULBs to enhance capacity, kalajatha activities, competitions and waste-to-art exhibits. The official said that the plan was a strategic step toward building cleaner, healthier, and more resilient urban areas. By combining infrastructure, innovation, and involvement, it would reinforce Telangana's commitment to sustainable urban development through a people-first approach.
Business Wire
5 minutes ago
- Business Wire
Marc Jacobs Celebrates Anniversary at Maison Orveda
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Maison Orveda on Madison Avenue, the wellness sanctuary of the French multi-award-winning biotech skincare brand, hosted an intimate conversation between Marc Jacobs, one of the most recognized names in design, fashion, and beauty, and Bridget Foley, fashion journalist and author. The evening also commemorated the 20th anniversary of, the designer's landmark book published by Assouline, celebrating two decades of cultural influence and creative vision. Reflecting on his career spanning fashion and beauty, Marc Jacobs said, 'When I first saw my name on a bottle of perfume, I thought to myself, I am a legitimate designer. It was such a landmark.' The conversation, introduced by Andrea DiNunzio, Coty General Manager, Ultra-Luxury Skincare & Fragrance USA, explored Marc Jacobs' enduring influence across eras and aesthetics, the emotional clarity of his work and the cultural impact of Marc Jacobs Fragrance. Guests were also given a quiet preview of what's to come: the return of Marc Jacobs Beauty – the next chapter of his iconic makeup line developed in collaboration with Coty. 'Marc Jacobs is a cultural force, and we are proud to partner with him to celebrate 20 years of fashion and beauty innovation,' said Sue Nabi, CEO of Coty and co-founder of Orveda. 'As an absolute skincare expert, he values Orveda's cutting edge science with highly concentrated, yet gentle formulas.' Nicolas Vu, co-founder of Orveda, said: 'Marc's presence at Maison Orveda celebrates our shared belief in beauty as emotion, reinvention, and connection. His passion for longevity science deeply resonates with Orveda's philosophy — a commitment to healing the skin's past, present, and future.' Part of Orveda's Cultural Tastemakers Series, the event brought together artistry, intention, and innovation in a space designed to ignite the mind, spirit, and skin. As a symbol of Orveda's evolving vision for wellness-centered luxury, the Maison– like Marc Jacobs – stands at the vanguard: where trendsetting meets trailblazing, and where beauty is constantly being reimagined through purpose, progress, and poetic expression. ABOUT ORVEDA Awarded with the most prestigious beauty awards and recommended by surgeons and aesthetic doctors for pre- and post-procedure care, Orveda is a premium skincare brand that redefines skincare with its highly concentrated active ingredients through biotechnology – working with your skin, not against it. Orveda pushes the boundaries of traditional cosmetics, setting a benchmark for clean, green, and vegan skincare. Founded by beauty visionaries Nicolas Vu and Sue Nabi, and under license with Coty since 2021, Orveda reconciles the wisdom of ancient medicine with the virtues of futuristic science. ABOUT COTY Founded in Paris in 1904, Coty (NYSE: COTY) (Paris: COTY) is one of the world's largest beauty companies with a portfolio of iconic brands across fragrance, color cosmetics, and skin and body care. Coty serves consumers around the world, selling prestige and mass market products in over 120 countries and territories. Coty and our brands empower people to express themselves freely, creating their own visions of beauty; and we are committed to protecting the planet. Learn more at or on LinkedIn and Instagram.
