AfriForum calls for review of Shaik’s parole

By Nomava Nobumba
20 December 2009

The civil rights initiative AfriForum today lodged a complaint against the convicted fraudster, Schabir Shaik, with the Parole Board.

The charge that Shaik violated his conditions of parole follows after many reports by the media that he drives around and even does shopping at times not allowed for by his parole conditions .

Shaik, former financial adviser to President Jacob Zuma, was released from the Durban Westville prison in March this year after serving 28 months of a 15-year jail term.

AfriForum’s Allana Bailey says they emphasises in the submission to the Parole Board that it is essential for the maintenance of the supreme authority of the law that the complaint should be investigated urgently and that firm action be taken against him, if it were to be found that he had indeed violated his parole conditions.


Bailey adds Shaik’s apparent disregard for his parole conditions sends a very disconcerting message regarding the supremacy of the law in South Africa.

“The actions of someone who had already obtained parole under highly questionable circumstances, should at all times remain above suspicion, but in his case, we see exactly the opposite,” she said.

The group say at a time when crime is out of control and when criminals appear to show no regard for the law, it is of prime importance that that strict action is taken against any person who violates conditions of parole in order to reiterate that no-one is above the law.