Saturday, January 14, 2012

Medical Parole For Selebi Being Considered

Medical parole for Selebi being considered

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Jan 14 2012 20:04

An appeal for the medical parole of Jackie Selebi will be considered by correctional services this week, the department said on Saturday.

Spokesperson Zacharia Modise said: "The department will respond to the request this week. The director general was on leave and returns to work on Monday, following which we can respond."

Approximately three weeks ago a group calling itself "Friends of Jackie Selebi" lodged an application with the office of the minister of correctional services and the national commissioner of correctional services for his release on medical parole.

Modise said Selebi was still very ill and being treated at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital. He said Selebi was in a "stable condition".

The group sent another letter on Saturday morning calling for Selebi's release on medical grounds.

Modise said he was unaware of the second letter.

In December, the department said Selebi would not receive medical parole but would be kept in the medical wing of a correctional facility "indefinitely".

"Following the medical report from the staff at Steve Biko Academic Hospital it has been decided Mr Selebi will be kept in the medical wing of a correctional facility indefinitely, after his release from hospital," the national commissioner of correctional services,Tom Moyane, told reporters at a National Press Club briefing in December.

After losing the appeal against his conviction for corruption, the former commissioner of the South African Police Service began his 15-year jail sentence on December 5.

According to Moyane, Selebi has received intermittent treatment for "uncontrollable sugar diabetes" and undergone laser surgery on his eyes since his arrival.

The 61-year-old former top cop was then transferred from prison to the Steve Biko Academic hospital in Pretoria on December 19 and has been receiving treatment at the facility's nephrology ward.

The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg found Selebi guilty of receiving money in exchange for favours and information from convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti.

Selebi collapsed at his home in Waterkloof on December 2 upon hearing his appeal against his conviction failed in the Supreme Court of Appeal. -- Sapa

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