The Mail & Guardian, this week, released the detailed medical reports leading to Schabir Shaik’s controversial parole.

The report said that Dr Abubaker Gangat, a psychiatrist, and Shaik’s persistently high blood pressure had “potentially dire consequences for the eyes, kidneys, heart and brain” and that “organ damage to the eyes and kidneys is already present.”

Dr Gangat also made observations which revealed that Shaik had Severe Emotional Disorder along with life-threatening physical disorders.

Dr Salim Gafoor, Shaik’s private physician, said that Shaik suffered from severe resistant hypertension with end organ damage. Dr Gafoor also informed that his blood pressure could not be kept under check while he was in prison.

The main reason behind Shaik’s successful application was an astounding report compiled by Dr Ngenisile Mbanjwa, who was a nurse formerly until she qualified as a doctor in 2005.

She wrote in her report: "Based on all the medical reports from my colleagues/Independent Medical Practitioners concerning the inmate-patient's medical condition, all the investigations and medications the inmate-patient is on, the prognostic features and concurrently with end (final) stage multiple organ failure (terminal illness) due to uncontrolled or refactory hypertension despite multiple medications including psychiatric medications."

M&G has concluded from the documents that Shaik was never personally examined by Mbanjwa herself and her assessment was based on reports by his private doctors.

A report by Dr Gangat in May 2008 only stated his persistent high blood pressure along with organ damage to eyes and kidneys having dire consequences on organs like heart and brain.

The report has now been annexed to the report submitted by Mbanjwa and was received as part of a bundle received by correctional services on January 2 2009.