Shaik parole: Correctional Services needs to investigate latest alleged assault

President Zuma's former financial advisor, and convicted fraudster, Schabir Shaik needs to be properly investigated by correctional services authorities, following his alleged assault of a man at a Durban mosque.

The incident in question is detailed in a report in this morning's Sunday Times.

Mr. Shaik allegedly assaulted a man, Mr. Mahomed Ismail, who had been attempting to leave the mosque to attend to his gravely ill daughter. The newspaper reports that Shaik's car had blocked the exit of the car park at the mosque, and that Ismail had waited 15 minutes for Shaik to move his vehicle. He then apparently hooted at Shaik, who emerged from his vehicle and proceeded to assault Mr. Ismail.

This matter deserves the immediate attention of the correctional authorities. It is clear that Shaik has egregiously breached his parole conditions on at least three occasions now. This incident, together with his alleged assault of a Sunday Tribune journalist late last month on a Durban golf course, demonstrate quite clearly that Mr. Shaik has not been rehabilitated, is a danger to those around him, and is also not even remotely in the final stage of a terminal illness, as was the basis for his release on medical parole in the first place. Mr. Shaik's alleged inability to control his anger is worrying. If he does indeed have an anger management problem, his release on parole should be questioned.

I will be asking the Minister of Correctional Services to appear before the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services to explain why Mr. Shaik's repeated breach of parole conditions has not been properly investigated up until now, and to request that she ensures that the DCS investigate this matter.

He needs to return to prison.

James Selfe MP, DA Shadow Minister of Correctional Services, March 13 2011

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