The state will foot Schabir Shaik’s legal costs at the Constitutional Court next year when he fights to retain his assets worth about R33-million, The Star newspaper reports.

In an application to the Durban High Court recently, Shaik indicated that he had no cash and would need about R2.5 million to cover legal costs.

The newspaper said the state agreed to give Shaik the money but not in hard cash.

"Shaik’s lawyers will have to submit actual legal bills, which will then be paid by the court appointed curator, Trevor White."

The newspaper said in return Shaik had surrendered Cellsaf shares to White as security.

After finding Shaik guilty of a "mutually beneficial symbiosis" with Jacob Zuma, judge Hilary Squires granted an order that some of Shaik’s assets be forfeited to the state as they were ill-gotten.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and The Times.