Selebi 'critical but stable': doctor

Convicted former police chief Jackie Selebi was in a critical but stable condition and would have to stay in the medical wing of prison indefinitely, officials said on Wednesday.

"His condition is critical but stable at this moment," his doctor, Heleen Bierman, told reporters in Pretoria.

She said he suffered from "end stage kidney disease".

"It's reached the stage now where renal replacement therapy has become imperative," said Bierman.

Doctors had recommended that he stay in the medical wing of prison once discharged from hospital.

Correctional services commissioner Tom Moyane said various chronic illnesses complicated Selebi's condition. He had "uncontrollable sugar diabetic levels", "soaring hypertension levels" and "also had to undergo laser therapy to both his eyes", said Moyane.

"He is currently being treated by a team of doctors at the nephrology (kidney) department... his condition is very serious but stable. Because of the abnormal and stressful conditions of incarceration and his age being against him, the combination of his chronic illness compounds his medical care conditions," Moyane said of the 61-year-old.

He said correctional services had received a medical care report, according to which Selebi's medical management was complicated because of his diabetes and need for dialysis.

His medical team advised "he be kept indefinitely for the period of incarceration in the medical wing of the correctional facility".

Selebi was taken to the nephrology ward of the Steve Biko hospital in northern Pretoria last Monday under armed guard.

The disgraced former police chief was booked into prison on December 5 to start a 15-year jail term. He was found guilty of corruption after he accepted money from convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti, and giving him benefits that included showing him a British drug investigation report. Selebi was president of Interpol at the time.

His appeal against his corruption conviction failed in the Supreme Court of Appeal on December 2. Selebi watched the judgment on television at home and collapsed when he heard the outcome.