South African prison authorities have confirmed that disgraced former national police commissioner, Jackie Selebi has been treated at the intensive care unit of the Steve Biko Academic hospital in Pretoria, after his condition worsened.



The confirmation followed intense speculation that Selebi was at the end stage of kidney failure.

The former Interpol collapsed at his Pretoria home after a Supreme Court  judge confirmed his 15 year prison sentence for corruption last year.

In August 2010, Selebi was convicted for receiving benefits from convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti but he had appealed to the Supreme Court.



According to reports, Selebi's lawyers said he suffered from "end-stage" kidney disease and he was receiving dialysis treatment. 

Correctional Services Commissioner Tom Moyane was at pains to explain and give details of Selebi's health.

"The situation has degenerated, there will be further verification of Selebi's state of health", he said.



Moyane is quoted as saying, "he is not well, the situation deteriorated last week and doctors then sent him to the ICU".



A hospital official earlier told the Sowetan newspaper that a "weak" Selebi was moved from the nephrology (kidney) unit, where he had been undergoing dialysis, to the ICU.

He was wheeled into the hospital's nuclear medicine unit for X-rays, the official told the newspaper.

This was where they checked for cancerous tumuors and was also being examined by cardiologists.



Last week, prison authorities denied a request for medical parole by two men calling themselves 'Friends of Jackie Selebi'.

The group is appealing for the immediate release of Selebi arguing that he should not be incarcerated due to his deteriorating health.

Also read:

South Africa: No medical parole for Selebi
South Africa's disgraced former Interpol boss hospitalised
Jackie Selebi - The collapse of a shamed giant
South Africa: Former Interpol boss faces jail