Parliament - Convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik’s medical parole conditions have been slightly relaxed on the basis of good behaviour, the department of correctional services said on Tuesday.
“We have not had any problem in the last number of months,” said James Smallberger, the department’s chief deputy commissioner responsible for incarceration and corrections.
Smallberger said as a result of this, Shaik became entitled to eased conditions, as was standard with all paroled prisoners.
However, he denied media reports that the department had approved an application by Shaik’s lawyers that he be allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment.
“There must have been a misinterpretation or false assumption from questions asked in the portfolio committee,” he said, referring to a briefing by the department to MPs on Tuesday.
Shaik, a former financial advisor to South Africa President Jacob Zuma, was sentenced to an effective 15 years in jail in 2005 on counts corruption and fraud. This led to Zuma being fired from the post of deputy president which he held at the time.
Shaik was released on medical parole in June 2009, causing an outcry which persisted amid repeated reports of him contravening his parole conditions.
Smallberger said Shaik’s parole would expire in 2021.
ANA