Schabir Shaik has returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca spiritually strengthened and rejuvenated, ready to fight any "unholy wars" that await him.

The Durban businessman, who faces 15 years in prison for fraud and corruption involving former deputy president Jacob Zuma, also told the Sunday Tribune that he had re-found his sense of direction.

Shaik said he believed his haj to Mecca and Medina had helped him regain his sense of balance and moral direction, especially in view of what Judge Hilary Squires had said when he passed his judgement in June. Squires described Schaik as a "man with vision, ambition and energy who, somewhere on his journey to success, lost his moral compass".

Shaik said, "I have regained that direction in my life. My holy journey to Mecca has recalibrated me and restored my sense of direction.

"I hope I had not wavered too much off the path, as Squires led me to understand. I say this in true humility, with a true sense of acknowledgement of what he had to say of me," said Shaik.

"I also hope my return to South Africa is a signal to the Scorpions - who believed that I was a flight risk before I left for Mecca - that I have found my moral compass and recalibrated properly."

Shaik said his trip had been very spiritual and fulfilling. "The whole idea of going to these two holy destinations is to rejuvenate and revitalise your spirituality. One goes on this holy mission to seek the guidance and blessings from God on a whole range of issues that we have to face in our material world.

"This can be done anywhere but, for Muslims, this spiritual journey is of special significance, especially when in Mecca and Medina."

Shaik said his trip meant praying seven to 10 times a day for 30 days. Six of these were done in a congregation in excess of 2,5-million people, and the other four alone.

"Status is meaningless when you stand in front of your God. Only after three days did I realise that on my one side was a Saudi prince and on my other was an Arab bedouin.

"I have regained my inner strength. The past five years has taken a tremendous toll on me personally and on my business life.

"I feel strengthened and rejuvenated with the holy spirit and ready to fight any unholy war in front of me. I prayed for peace and prosperity in our country and also for the rest of the troubled world, especially Palestine, Bosnia, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"I also prayed for the leaders of our country and our president (Mbeki) that God will give him the strength, courage and guidance to overcome the turbulent and difficult times weighing against him and the country," he said.

"I also prayed for my friend Jacob Zuma, that God also gives him the courage and strength to overcome the many hurdles that he is facing."

Shaik has appealed against Squires's verdicts. The state will this month launch a bid for the forfeiture of the assets of Shaik's company, Nkobi Holdings.

With acknowledgements to Juggie Naran and the AFP..