The trial of Durban arms magnate Shabir Shaik was postponed to November 27 in the Durban Regional Court on Monday, SABC radio news reported.

Shaik appeared on charges relating to the government's multi-billion rand arms procurement deal. Earlier, the Nkobi Holdings CEO expressed confidence that his defence team would prove his innocence.

Shaik was arrested last year on charges relating to conflict of interest arising from the arms deal. Shaik's brother, Chippy, was head of the defence procurement programme.

At the time Shabir Shaik was director of Africa Defence Systems, which secured a contract to supply parts for four corvette ships.

The State told the court the charge sheet would be amended to include several new charges. They would not elaborate on the charges.

Shaik's lawyers argued the validity of a search warrant which the crack Scorpions unit used when they raided his luxurious penthouse on the Durban beachfront in October last year.

They said the Scorpions had violated Shaik's rights to privacy and infringed on his constitutional rights.

With acknowledgement to Sapa and iafrica.com.