Convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik appears to have made a miraculous recovery, allegedly being sighted at an upmarket French restaurant in Umhlanga.

It has been established that a lunch party was held at the plush Umhlanga restaurant last Saturday to celebrate his wife Zuleikha's birthday. It is claimed that Schabir Shaik and a number of family friends were there to enjoy the occasion with her.

Restaurateur Robert Mauvis, owner of Ile Maurice restaurant, said that he was aware that a private luncheon party had been organised on that date, but said he did not know who the guests were.

However, a source close to the restaurant confirmed that the private lunch was attended by Zuleikha and her family, but did not elaborate on the guest list.

The restaurant, which overlooks the beachfront, is known for its stylish Mauritian and French cuisine including seafood gratin, beef rougaille, prawn and chicken curry and fish vindaye.

The restaurant is frequented by international foodies drawn by some of the best seafood dishes in the country.

Zuleikha Shaik's brother, Yusuf Vahed, said he would not confirm or deny the report about the birthday party for his sister.

"It is private," he said. "The Shaiks and our family must be allowed to live our lives as normal and with dignity."

Shaik was diagnosed in the final stages of a terminal illness in March this year after spending 312 days of his 15-year sentence in hospital. He was released on humanitarian grounds suffering from advanced hypertension (high blood pressure) which was deemed to be irreversible.

It was stated by hospital staff that his condition was deteriorating rapidly.

On the day of Shaik's release, he was observed arriving home in an ambulance and stretchered into his Durban home.

On his release, Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Manelisi Wolela announced that the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board of the Durban Westville Management Area had decided to grant a "medical parole" to Shaik on the basis of medical reports indicating that Shaik was in the final stages of a terminal illness.

A patron at the restaurant last weekend said that one of the guests appeared to be the "spitting image" of Schabir Shaik. "If it was him, then he appears to be in good health."

• This article was originally published on page 1 of The Sunday Tribune on June 28, 2009

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With acknowledgements to Cape Argus.