DA ask that Shaik's parole be reviewed

According to a statement by die Da, they have called on Judge Siraj Desai to look into Shaik's parole conditions in light of his reported attack on a journalist this week.

It was reported that that Shaik verbally attacked a journalist who called him for comment on the relaxing of his parole conditions, to which he responded by hurling verbal attacks and profanities at the journalist.

Shaik is reported as stating that his health had significantly improved enough for him to headbutt the journalist and kick him in the genitals.

Just last week the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board lightened Shaik's parole conditions because he was believed to have demonstrated good behaviour and showed progress in his rehabilitation.

The DA statement reads:

"It must be noted that at the time this was a controversial decision given there was much speculation that Mr Shaik was not in fact terminally ill. Indeed we suspected that Shaik was not eligible for medical parole but rather that he was receiving preferential treatment because he was closely linked to the President.

Additionally, Shaik knew that ordinary parole would not be granted two and half years into a fifteen-year sentence and now wants the Correctional Services Minister to grant him ordinary parole ex post facto.

In the interest of the fairness as a critical component of South Africa's criminal justice system and its integrity, we submit that it is crucial that Judge Desai engage our request with the due gravity it deserves of we are to restore and maintain equality before the law for all South Africans regardless of their political connectedness."

- Press Release