Selebi's Shaik-y medical parole?

Reports in the press today that former national police commissioner and convicted fraudster, Jackie Selebi, has been spotted shopping in Pretoria are concerning. 

Selebi was released on medical parole last year after serving only 229 days of his 15 year prison sentence (see Beeld report). 

At the time of his release, the Department of Correctional Services said its decision to release Mr Selebi was based on the fact that he had "a medical condition which is terminal, chronic, progressive and has deteriorated or reached an irreversible state". 

It was reported that Mr Selebi had end-stage renal disease for which he was receiving dialysis. End-stage renal disease means the person has irreversible kidney damage and they end up on dialysis for life.

If Mr Selebi has indeed made a miraculous recovery from his illness or not been adhering to all his parole conditions, the decision to release him could potentially be reviewed.

Given the huge degree of public scepticism about medical parole in South Africa, it is essential that the Department of Correctional Services monitors convicted criminals released on parole to determine whether the parole conditions remain valid. 

I will be asking parliamentary questions to Correctional Services Minister Sbu Ndebele to determine whether Mr Selebi's medical parole is, in fact, being monitored by his Department and whether there have been any indications that there may be a need to review the parole decision. 

There cannot be one law for the politically connected and another for the rest of us.

Statement issued by James Selfe MP, DA Shadow Minister of Correctional Services, October 7 2013

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter