Shaik accused of attacking reporter

Convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik said on Sunday that he had not assaulted a Sunday Tribune reporter, but that the woman was the author of her own misery and had hit herself by yanking her cellphone from his grasp.

The Tribune reported that Amanda Khoza had been tipped off that Shaik was playing golf at the Papwa Sewgolum course in Durban on Saturday and had gone to investigate.

Shaik, who was controversially awarded medical parole after serving two years of a 15-year sentence for fraud and corruption, allegedly grabbed Khoza by the throat and slapped her.

But in an interview with The Mercury on Sunday, Shaik said the publicity over his parole was simply to “get at President Jacob Zuma”.

He said the incident was “fabricated” by Khoza “to add to the conspiracy”.

“My parole is six hours (of free time) on both Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 6pm. I also get two hours every day during the week at any time of my choice. Within that stipulated time, I can do what I choose. I can swim in the ocean, I swim in my pool and I can walk, as this is all part of my recuperation. I’m encouraged to do all of these things by the Correctional Services Department to help me rehabilitate and integrate with society,” he said.

Shaik said Khoza should have researched his parole conditions before invading his “privacy” on the golf course.

He said he had grabbed Khoza’s cellphone, as she held it to her face to take a photograph.

“When I grabbed her phone, she yanked it back and hit her face.”

Shaik said he would not “go home, hide somewhere and die quietly”.

“Should I not revive myself for my wife and child?”

He said being “hounded” by journalists was causing undue stress for “a walking and talking time bomb” like him, who suffered from uncontrolled hypertension.

Shaik said he was unable to walk on the beach because journalists followed him even there.

“What happened … was an invasion of my privacy. Incidents like yesterday, which was so unprovoked, cause a lot of stress for me. I stopped playing and left the golf course two hours early – at 4pm instead of 6pm,” he said.

Police Brigadier Phindile Radebe said an assault case had been opened against Shaik and would be investigated.

Correctional Services spokesman Manelisi Wolela confirmed that Shaik had six hours of free time on Saturdays and Sundays. In 2009, Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula imposed restrictions on Shaik’s parole conditions after reports that he had violated his parole by shopping and visiting a luxury residential estate in Durban.

Among the restrictions imposed at the time, Shaik was no longer allowed to visit his doctor’s rooms, with consultations to be conducted at his home instead.

Also, his daily free time was reduced from six hours to two, but his attendance of prayers at a mosque on Fridays was not affected. But in August, 2010, his conditions were relaxed again. Political parties yesterday urged Mapisa-Nqakula to immediately review all regulations relating to medical parole, saying it was open to abuse.

DA correctional services spokesman James Selfe called for an inquiry into Saturday’s incident, saying Shaik should be re-jailed if he was found to have committed another crime. Selfe also questioned Shaik’s ability to play golf, when he was supposedly terminally ill.

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal declined to comment, saying the parole board or Correctional Services Department were the relevant people to comment.

South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) deputy chairwoman Mary Papaya said the organisation was not aware of the full details, but that Sanef condemned any intimidation of journalists or attempts to prevent them from doing their jobs in a public place.

Sunday Tribune editor Philani Mgwaba said a charge had been laid and he expected the police to take the matter seriously and investigate. He declined to respond to Shaik’s claims and said the law should take its course. - The Mercury

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