Schabir Shaik still ‘terminally ill’ eight years after release on medical parole

Convicted fraudster and former financial adviser to President Jacob Zuma’s Schabir Shaik is still ‘terminally ill’ but can attend his child’s school functions and work.

This was revealed in a written reply to parliament by Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha on Thursday.

Shaik had close ties with Zuma was convicted of fraud and corruption in 2005 and sentenced to 15 years.

He appealed but lost and finally went to prison in 2007. After spending two years behind bars, Shaik was released on medical parole as he was deemed ‘terminally ill’.

In a reply to parliament on Thursday, Masutha said Shaik is still considered ‘terminally ill’, eight years after he was released on parole for ‘health’ reasons.

“Despite being terminally ill, Mr Shaik’s house arrest conditions have been relaxed to accommodate his needs. These include: attending school functions for his son, working hours from Monday to Friday, attending sports once a week, travel outside the province, on application for leave of absence.

“It is quite astounding that a terminally ill man is able to work and attend sports, should he wish. It is also shocking that the last time his parole was assessed was two years ago,” said DA shadow minister of correctional services James Selfe.

He said the reason for Shaik’s release was a ‘farce’ as ‘he appears no closer to death today than he did at the time’.

Selfe said those responsible for the ‘abuse and mockery’ of the parole system should be tracked down and held to account.