Convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik, who has been released from jail on medical parole, is confined to his magisterial district but is not under house arrest, according to a report on his parole conditions.

Correctional Services chief deputy commissioner Teboho Motseki told The Star newspaper that Shaik was not under house arrest and would not be required to report anywhere.

However, Correctional Services officials would visit his family once a month and Shaik would be confined to a specific magisterial district.

Motseki said there were four phases in terms of parole conditions, the fourth being the most restrictive and the first being the most relaxed.

Shaik's parole conditions fell under phase 2, he said.

Correctional Services spokesman Manelisi Wolela said Shaik could not be re-arrested if his health improved.

"The only grounds on which [a paroled prisoner] could be released would be if he or she re-offended or violated the conditions of his or her parole," said Wolela.

Shaik was sentenced to 15 years in jail in 2005 on two counts of corruption and one of fraud, which, among other things, related to an alleged bribe he negotiated between Zuma and a French arms company.

Zuma, the African National Congress' presidential candidate in the upcoming elections, said at the weekend that, given Shaik's health, he should have been released long ago.

Shaik has served two years and four months of his 15-year term, spending most of that time in hospital due to high blood pressure, depression and chest pains.

Sapa