Disgraced former police chief Jackie Selebi spent the weekend at home after his release from prison on medical grounds.
Selebi’s release on medical parole was announced on Friday.
The former police commissioner convicted of corruption and jailed after his appeal failed, had been treated at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital since February.
The chief executive of the hospital, Dr Ernest Kenoshi, on Sunday confirmed that Selebi had been allowed to go home on Saturday but said he was expected to return sometime this week.
Selebi, who has served less than a year of his 15-year jail term, had been diagnosed with “end-stage” renal failure and was reportedly receiving dialysis three times a day.
This meant he had been in and out of hospital since December 5 and had spent the past three and a half months in the nephrology unit of the hospital.
Selebi was one of 12 offenders who applied for medical parole this year. Three offenders died while their applications were being processed; three were denied parole while six were granted medical parole.
Selebi’s wife, Anne, applied for him to be released on medical grounds. However, his freedom comes with strict regulations.
Deputy commissioner of correctional services James Smalberger said Selebi was regarded as a medium-risk inmate on health detention.
This meant Selebi would get two hours’ free time during the week and six hours at weekends as he was not considered a flight risk.
Smalberger said Selebi would be kept under very close supervision for the remainder of his sentence.
The department was still to have a meeting with Selebi to iron out a few of his conditions of parole.
Selebi would have to be prepared for unannounced visits from correctional services officials.
“He is not allowed to commit any crime during the period of his sentence. He will not be allowed to leave his place of residence or the city without approval or notifying the department.
“He will also not be allowed to abuse alcohol. If we suspect that he has (abused alcohol), we will not hesitate to test his blood,” Smalberger said. If Selebi tested more than 0.05g/100ml of alcohol in his blood he would be in trouble.
Should Selebi violate any of the conditions, prison authorities would not hesitate to take him back to jail, he said. Selebi’s free time did not include the time he spent getting medical treatment for his condition, he said.
The Star