IS SCHABIR Shaik a living example of fate, depending on who you know?

He was allegedly "in the last stages of a terminal illness" but seems to have made a miraculous recovery and roams the streets of Durban when he should be serving his 15-year sentence or, at least, respecting the dictates of his parole.

This is indeed an unedifying episode and a mockery of our criminal justice system.

Isn't the idea that prisoners with full-blown Aids are released on medical parole to die a dignified death, and not to abuse or fool the system? Shaik's case shows there are different rules for "ordinary" criminals and for politically connected ones.

Puleng Mmila, Seokodibeng