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Government keeps shocking the nation with its double standards for corrupt
ANC members. They did it with Schabir Shaik. They have done it again with
Jackie Selebi.

It is reported that the new Minister of Correctional Services, Mr. Sbusiso
Ndebele, has announced that the former Police Commissioner, who was
convicted on corruption charges last year, has been released from prison on
medical parole.

The IFP's spokesperson on Correctional Services, Mr. Velaphi Ndlovu MP,
expressed the Party's shock over Selebi's release. "Investigators spent a
lot of time and tax payers' money to investigate and prosecute Selebi. The
judiciary took a long time on this case before he was sentenced to 15 years
in prison. Now, after spending just 6 months behind bars, Selebi is free,"
said Ndlovu.

Ndlovu also pointed out that Government is, in fact, interfering with the
rulings of courts. "This makes a mockery of correctional services, the
justice system and Government, which claims to be fighting for justice in
this country," said Ndlovu.

The IFP is strongly opposed to Government's abuse of the medical parole
system, which sees well connected, corrupt ANC members prosecuted, and then
released. The impression is created that anyone who is well connected can
get away with serious crimes. This raises questions over the credibility of
our justice system.

The IFP therefore calls on the Minister of Correctional Services to review
the medical parole system. In addition, we call on Government to recover the
money spent on Selebi case, which now amounts to wasteful expenditure.