Shaik medical reports: details revealed

The first of two articles regarding two colourful characters on the South African scene. First President Zuma's long term buddy and "benefactor" Schabir Shaik.

The South African media have released details of the medical reports which led to Schabir Shaik's controversial parole.

According to the report, a psychiatrist Dr Abubaker Gangat said Shaik's persistently high blood pressure had "potentially dire consequences for the eyes, kidneys, heart and brain" and that "organ damage to the eyes and kidneys is already present". Gangat also noted that Shaik had Severe Emotional Disorder combined with life-threatening physical disorders.

Shaik's private physician Dr Salim Gaffoor said Shaik had severe resistant hypertension with end organ damage. His blood pressure remained high and, according to Gaffoor, his blood pressure would not be controlled while in prison.

The report's author Dr Ngenisile Mbanjwa recommended that Shaik be granted parole "to die a consolatory and dignified death" in terms of Section 70 of the Correctional Services Act. "Based on all the medical reports from my colleagues all the investigations and medications the inmate-patient is on, the prognostic features and concurrently with end (final) stage multiple organ failure (terminating illness) due to uncontrolled or refactory hypertension despite multiple medications including psychiatric medications."

It was not clear whether Dr Mbanjwa had examined Shaik or that anyone other than his own doctor and psychiatrist had done so.

Shaik was released last March after being sentenced in 2005 to 15 years in prison for fraud and corruption in a trial which partially focused on whether he had facilitated a bribe for President Jacob Zuma from a French arms company. He was subsequently set a warning letter by the Department of correction sent his a warning letter regarding breaches of parole after he was filmed playing golf and visiting restaurants and theatres despite his alleged poor health.

Shaik's application for a full pardon remains among over 300 such applications which Zuma had been considering considering. It will be interesting to note what effect a pardon might have on his health

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Hat Tip: Dina