Durban : Businessman Schabir Shaik has been refused leave to appeal against his conviction for corruption relating to his relationship to former deputy president Jacob Zuma, but may appeal against those for a second count of corruption and fraud.

High Court Judge Hilary Squires has extended Shaik's R100 000 bail.

Clutching what appeared to be prayer beads, Shaik said yesterday that he was disappointed but grateful for the ruling and would use the option made available to him. Asked whether he would petition the chief justice over the first conviction, he said his legal team was considering the matter.

He was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for each of the two counts of corruption and three years for fraud. The terms are to run concurrently.

Of the sentences, Judge Squires said he could not find circumstances justifying a penalty other than the mandatory 15 years in jail.

He granted some of Shaik's companies limited leave to appeal against their guilty verdicts and the fines imposed.

If no petition is filed with the Supreme Court of Appeal within 21 days, the fines imposed on those of Shaik's companies not granted leave to appeal will have to be paid by August 31. If leave to appeal is refused by the supreme court, all the fines must be paid within 48 hours.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Cape Times.