Shortly before 8am, a Citymed ambulance pulled up in front of the Shaik's Emmerwood home in Durban. It was followed by a bakkie full of officials from Correctional Services.

Shaik was carried into the home from the ambulance on a stretcher. The officials followed him into the home.

At 10.15am, Shaik's brother, Yunis Shaik, arrived at the house. When questioned by the media, he said: "Hold that thought", before going into the house to join his brother.

A security guard was stationed outside the gate.

About an hour earlier, Schabir Shaik's wife, left the home and returned about 15 minutes later.

Shaik's parole had drawn a great deal of media attention with about 10 reporters and photographers camped outside the house.

The Shaik family has issued a statement asking for privacy.

"Our brother is ill and the family requests that we be allowed the space to take care of him."

In the absence of news, the scene had taken on a picnic-like atmosphere. Some reporters had brought camping chairs, others ate samosas and shared cool drinks.

The Democratic Alliance spokesperson for Correctional Services James Selfe had asked for more information regarding Shaik's parole. Selfe said that a prisoner could only receive medical parole if they were in the last stages of terminal illness.

"While his medical condition is confidential, it would be appropriate for the department of correctional services to disclose the grounds on which Shaik qualified for medical parole.

"This will do much to dispel the notion that double standards are being applied," said Selfe.

In June 2005, Schabir Shaik was found guilty of corruption and fraud in relation to payments of over R1.2 million to then deputy president Jacob Zuma.