Private petition for Selebi medical parole release

TWO MEN who style themselves as friends of Jackie Selebi have applied for the former national police commissioner’s release on medical parole. The two contend that prison is no place for a terminally ill elderly man.

Thabo Lesole and Sipho Thanjekwayo’s arguments are contained in a 10-page letter addressed to Correctional Services commissioner Tom Moyane.

“We are making a special request and application on the basis of his medical condition and his age. Our view is that our correctional centres are not created to punish, but to rehabilitate offenders.

“We are of the view that the applicant has suffered enough pain, humiliation and embarrassment. We have reason to believe that imprisoning the applicant will not yield any benefit for the country… instead, the applicant will deteriorate and die a painful death,” the pair wrote.

Selebi’s attorney, Wynanda Coetzee, was unaware of the application, which was made in accordance with Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998.

The law allows incapacitated or terminally ill prisoners to apply, and if they qualify, to be released on medical parole.

It provides that any person serving a prison sentence and who is “diagnosed as being in the final phase of any terminal disease or condition may be considered for correctional supervision or parole by the board”.

“I know nothing about it. I’m still on leave, I’ll only be back in the office next week,” said Coetzee.

Correctional Services spokesman Zacharia Modise confirmed receipt of the letter, saying the normal procedure was for medical parole applications to be made by family members, legal representatives or Correctional Services.

He said the department would respond to the men’s letter.

“We received the letter this morning (yesterday). The Department of Correctional Services will act on that.”

Modise added that Selebi was still in a critical but stable condition at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, where he is being treated for “end-stage kidney disease”.

“We can’t say when he’ll be released, but he is still in hospital,” he said.