Madam Deputy Speaker, Cope congratulates the Minister of Correctional Services for the courageous step that she took in re-arresting Mr Schabir Shaik after he had challenged his parole conditions on numerous occasions.
However, Cope wants to caution the Minister that she should not be too surprised if what happened to hon Minister Trevor Manuel also happens to her. [Laughter.] We all know that Mr Shaik's release on medical parole a year ago was a miscarriage of justice and would never have happened if he had been a financial adviser to any other person.
An investigation into violations of his parole conditions is long overdue, but South Africa is now waiting to see if the Parole Board can regain some of its credibility. It would make no sense to change his parole conditions, as the Department of Correctional Services spokesperson said that Mr Shaik is clearly under the impression that he is untouchable, probably for very good reason. He will also violate the new parole conditions, and he will again do so with impunity.
The Constitution provides for all South Africans to be equal before the law. Mr Shaik is not, and was not, terminally ill when he was released on medical parole. He should simply serve the rest of his prison sentence or else medical parole should be granted to many other prisoners who are also not terminally ill. I thank you. [Applause.]