Public has right to know nature of Selebi's condition

Reports indicate that Jackie Selebi's lawyers will now liaise with Correctional Services officials about the former National Police Commissioner being unable to report to jail as expected. This follows his lawyers' meeting today with the registrar of the High Court in Johannesburg.

The registrar of the High Court was apparently informed that Selebi collapsed as a result of a long standing medical condition. Selebi's lawyer, Wynanda Coetzee, has declined to comment on the nature of his illness. 

The integrity of the South African criminal justice system, and particularly its correctional services, rests on the principle of equality before the law. It is therefore in the public interest that the South African people are told what illness Selebi is suffering from, to avoid accusations that he has been given preferential red carpet treatment because of his political connections.

This incident will be the first test for the amended requirements for granting medical parole, and the Democratic Alliance will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that South Africans are spared another case of The Shaik Escape.

Statement issued by James Selfe MP, DA Shadow Minister of Correctional Services, December 5 2011

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