Paroled fraudster Shabir Shaik is still considered to be terminally ill even though his last medical assessment was done eight years ago before he was released on medical parole.
Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Michael Masutha, revealed this in a reply to questions by the Democratic Alliance in Parliament.
According to Masutha, Shaik's parole conditions were last reviewed in 2015.
He said "the last medical assessment by The Department of Correctional Services for parolee Mr. Shabir Shaik was conducted before he was released on medical parole on 03 March 2009".
"The condition of the parolee is still viewed to be terminal. Medical parole was granted in terms of the provisions of Section 79 of the Correctional Services Act, Act No. 111 of 1998, before it was amended," he said.
"Therefore, he was considered in terms of the then applicable legislation. The medical parole legislation was reviewed and Section 14 of the Correctional Services Amendment Act, Act No. 5 of 2011, which introduced the new medical parole system, came into effect on 01 March 2012," said Masutha.
"At the time the person in question was diagnosed as being in the final phase of a terminal disease."
Masutha also said that Shaik's parole conditions were relaxed to allow him to work Monday's to Friday's, attend school functions for his son as well as attend sports once a week.
He said Shaik, who was paroled after serving a fraction of his 15-year sentence for fraud and corruption, has to seek permission if he wants to leave the Province of Kwazulu Natal.
DA MP, James Selfe, who posed the questions to the Minister, said he "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. The reason for Mr Shaik's release on parole 8 years ago was clearly a farce, he appears no closer to death today than he did at the time," Selfe said.
He said those "responsible for this abuse and mockery of the parole system must be tracked down and held to account."
