Minister's decision not to review Shaik's parole a shame - James Selfe

The decision today by the Minister of Correctional Services not to review Schabir Shaik's release on medical parole is a further chapter in a shameless chronicle of inversion of the law. With every passing day and with every utterance from his foul mouth, it becomes increasingly clear that there is nothing medically wrong with Shaik, and that there never was. The decision to grant him medical parole was clearly illegal and politically motivated, and the Minister's decision not to refer this decision for review constitutes a cop-out and a cover-up of note.

Moreover, the decision by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to impose "sanctions" on Mr Shaik (involving little more than restricting his free time) constitutes a slap on the wrist. Mr Shaik has broken his parole conditions repeatedly, brazenly and unrepentantly. Mr Shaik is a level 1 parolee, and is supposed to be subject to strict checks to ensure that he adheres to his parole conditions. Every other level 1 parolee who did what Mr Shaik did would have immediately been re-arrested and would have had to serve the rest of his sentence.

I brought an earlier incident of his breaking his parole conditions to the Minister's attention in Parliament earlier this year, yet she refused to take action. Now in the face of photographic evidence, the action she has taken is too little, too late; it is half-hearted and unconvincing. There can be no other explanation than that Mr Shaik has friends in high places.

By refusing to refer the decision to release Mr Shaik on medical parole to the Review Board, and by giving him a slap on the wrist, the Minister has undermined the credibility and effectiveness of the parole system. It has also sent a very clear message to the criminal public: the government is soft on crime, particularly if the criminal concerned is connected to the ANC elite

Statement issued by James Selfe MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of correctional services, December 22 2009

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Zim here we come.... This place has become so 'Africa', if that's the word ... by Ty Webb on December 22 2009, 17:14 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The Zombie Phenomenon The point we miss here is that this man was let out of prison as a dying man. He was going home to die peacefully and quietly. What do we now make of the "Medical Proffesionals" who declared him a dying man. Such upstanding people, are they . .more not? Maybe the "Medical Experts" dealing with this "Zombie Phenomenon" should publish a paper in the medical journals. They could become more famous than the late Professor Christiaan Barnard. It was not long ago that I lamented the fact that there were no African scientists that were Nobel Laureates. What better chance than the Shaik case. See; http://letterdash.com/g.annandale/dead-man-walking-aka-prison-break http://letterdash.com/Search?p=1&s=g.annandale&bid=9f5d3758-e66f-4448-8ddb-4fc5062c2521&pid=cc4bca54-ec94-465a-8c30-4411e89f4b05&q=Shabir Shaik&so=Blog . .less by Geanann on December 23 2009, 08:33 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Do me a favour "Godfather" Shaik calling in his favours to Zuma and the ANC at large ?? by Reitz on December 23 2009, 09:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Court! Take then to court! It's the only way! I'll donate what I can! by Smith on December 23 2009, 10:10 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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