securely overwrite files with Python

[Bart Nessux]

Is there a shred module in Python? You know, the kind that overwrites 
files that one doesn't want others to see? I can call the unix program 
like this:

x = os.popen("/usr/bin/shred -uvz NAME_OF_FILE")
x.read()
x.close()

But, I'd like a platform independant (portable) way of doing this if 
possible.

Thanks,
Bart