Durban — Schabir Shaik, the businessman convicted of fraud and corruption, quietly slipped into the Durban High Court yesterday to secure a judgment that allows him to travel on Umraah, or the “mini Hajj”, to Mecca on Saturday next week.

Shaik is on R100000 bail pending the outcome of his appeal against his conviction a few months ago.

In terms of his bail conditions, his passport was seized by the courts, preventing him from leaving the country.

In the wake of Shaik’s trial, former deputy president Jacob Zuma was axed from the cabinet and the National Prosecuting Authority brought corruption charges against him.

Shaik said the court had given permission to travel as he was not “a flight risk”.

“In my small way I played a small part in (SA’s) liberation struggle. I love my country. I’ll never leave, I’ll die here.”

On his return, Shaik must report to his attorney, Reeves Parsee, and hand his passport back to the authorities.

“(Judge-President Vuka Tshabalala) ruled in my favour and consented that I travel. It is very honourable of him to respect my religious beliefs,” Shaik said.

The state had opposed the application.

Shaik indicated this would be his first Umraah — a shorter pilgrimage than the two-month-long Hajj — to coincide with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

With acknowledgements to Nicola Jenvey and the Business Day.