is set to run into thousands of dollars.

Zambian runner Charles Mulinga, 29, spent his eighth night in a semi-private ward at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital last night where his condition was "stable''.

But, despite the revelation that Mr. Mulinga may have provoked his attackers outside the Odyssey nightclub on Front Street, Public Safety Minister Quinton Edness is adamant that the fee will be paid out of the public purse.

Yesterday a hospital spokeswoman confirmed that Mr. Mulinga was still in a semi private ward and that there were no signs that he was set to leave.

And she added that it cost more than $600 a night to stay at the hospital -- with additional costs for treatment and medication.

Mr. Mulinga was well enough to speak to both detectives and members of the press within three days of the assault, but hospital staff have been unable to say why he is still being detained. He was taken to hospital in the early hours of last Monday, January 19 after being knocked unconscious. He was initially placed in intensive care with head wounds.

Last week the decision by Mr. Edness to foot the bill was blasted by Shadow Public Safety Minister Alex Scott, who accused the minister of acting prematurely.

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