The millions made by convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik through his crooked business dealings will benefit the victims of crime, the Assets Forfeiture Unit (AFU) told parliament this week.

The state had frozen R42 million worth of Shaik's assets following his conviction and 15-year prison sentence for fraud and corruption relating to his relationship with ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma.

AFU head Willie Hofmeyr said that they were awaiting the outcome of Shaik's argument for leave to appeal in the Constitutional Court before they transferred the millions into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (Cara). The money would then be distributed to organisations which assist victims of crime and to law enforcement agencies to boost their fight against crime.

On May 24, the Constitutional Court will hear Shaik's appeal against his conviction.

But legal experts have already warned that it seems unlikely the Durban businessman will succeed in his bid to get out of custody.

Hofmeyr said R120m had been paid into Cara since its establishment in 1999 but its formal administration was only set up two years ago. It was created to receive proceeds of crime obtained by the AFU.

Some R20m had been paid into Cara in the 2005/06 financial year and another R19m in the last financial year.

Hofmeyr said of the Shaik appeal, "We are pretty confident we will win that case."

R73m was paid out of Cara last year and Hofmeyr said they would be making another payment of R47m, on top of Shaik's millions, to Cara beneficiaries in the coming year.

With last year's R73m, eight rape-crisis and battered-women centres were built and the rest of the money went into law enforcement agencies and non-government organisations.

With acknowledgement to Sibusiso Ngalwa and Cape Argus.