Johannesburg - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) asked the Durban High Court on Wednesday to seize R34m in assets from the former financial adviser of ex-deputy president Jacob Zuma.

Lawyers and journalists crowded the courtroom on Wednesday, but Schabir Shaik, a longstanding friend of Zuma, did not attend the hearing, the SABC reported.

The NPA said the Prevention of Organised Crime Act authorised - and obliged - it to seize proceeds from any acts of corruption.

Company shares are among the items targeted for seizure, said Makhosini Nkosi, the authority's spokesperson.

Shaik was sentenced last year to 15 years in prison for corruption, but is out on bail pending an appeal.

The judge found Shaik had a "generally corrupt relationship" with Zuma and made payments to the former anti-apartheid fighter totaling about R1.2m to fund a lavish lifestyle.

The judge also found that Zuma was aware of Shaik's efforts to facilitate a yearly payment of R500 000 to the ex-deputy president from by French arms manufacturer Thales to deflect investigations into a 1999 arms deal with the government.

President Thabo Mbeki fired Zuma in June after he was implicated in Shaik's case, throwing open the question of who will succeed Mbeki at the end of his second and final term in 2009 - once certain to be Zuma.

Zuma himself goes on trial for corruption on July 31. He denies any wrongdoing.

More damaging politically was a subsequent charge that Zuma raped a family friend.

Zuma has since relinquished his leadership functions in ANC, though he retains the title of party deputy president.

His next court appearance in the rape case is on February 13.

With acknowledgements to AFP and News24.