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Jackie Selebi

Selebi was taken to Steve Biko Academic Hospital for kidney dialysis late last year soon after the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld the Johannesburg High Court decision sentencing him to 15 years behind bars for corruption.

Replying to a question yesterday in the Gauteng legislature, health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe said 82 patients were on the waiting list for chronic dialysis at the hospital.

DA caucus leader Jack Bloom told Sowetan that there were 68 people on the waiting list when Selebi began his treatment. Mekgwe denied Selebi had received special favours ahead of other patients "because there were none".

Asked to explain the treatment received by Selebi, Mekgwe declined to answer. "I'm sure the member is trying his luck," she said in response to Bloom's question.

"He will know that there is something called patient-doctor confidentiality."

Meanwhile, community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko was told she did not know her job. Mazibuko, often conspicuous by her absence from the legislature, was chided by her counterpart in the opposition - Kate Lorimer - after she declined to answer a question.

Lorimer had asked Mazibuko to explain the status of the criminal case against the driver who ran over Thomas Ferreira, the Krugersdorp teenager who went into a coma after his motorbike was knocked over by an official government car carrying local government and housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi last year.

Lorimer further asked Mazibuko whether disciplinary action had since been taken against the driver, and if not "why not?"

Mazibuko, addressing Lorimer in Xhosa, said she could not answer the question.

She said she did not understand the question because Lorimer had not been specific about which law enforcement agency she was referring to in her question.

Lorimer indicated that the driver who was allegedly responsible for the crash was a member of the police.

Mazibuko's failure to answer the question drew an angry response from Lorimer.

"I am shocked," she said.

"Your job is to have oversight. I want you to go to the family (Ferreira) and tell them that (you can't answer the question). I am disgusted at your response, or lack thereof. It shows that you don't know your job."

A stunned Mazibuko offered little by way of a comeback. Instead, she cautioned Lorimer against "increasing your blood pressure".

Mazibuko's quip drew laughter from the ruling party benches but derision from the opposition side.

Comments

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Thu May 23 14:17:32 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 25, 2012

TheGenius

Was Mazibuko sober when she answered or refused to answer the questions? I blame the apartheid for this!
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Apr 25, 2012

truthhurt

Is Selebi still in Jail? and was the Hospital issue just a decoy to get out of jail?
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Apr 25, 2012

swona

death is so unfair, it should visit this guy so he can rest!
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Apr 25, 2012

skhokho21

Lorimer, it looks like you have nothing better to do, you want to discuss a matter that is sub judice and how many accidents have happened, did you bring them to the house for discussion or is it bcoz its one of your own.
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Apr 25, 2012

lindsay

so you think Selebi must be thrown out to di e because being a con means you have no right whatsoever grow up Lorimer
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Apr 25, 2012

Shredder

WHat about Shabir Shaik
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Apr 25, 2012

guiliano

Just let Selebi go life has punished him enough.
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Apr 25, 2012

ProgressiveAfricanDemocrat

@swona
death is so unfair, it should visit this guy so he can rest!
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What will you say if death decides to visit you earlier than it does Selebi? Beware what you wish for others.
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Apr 25, 2012

polochipi

@swona
i dont agree with you on this one,not at all broer
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Apr 25, 2012

MommaC

So the way to get hospital treatment is to be a convicted criminal. Law abiding citizens must just wait until someone gets around to them.
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