Convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik appears to have made a miraculous recovery, after 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 Shaik and a number of family friends were there to enjoy the occasion with her.
Restaurateur Robert Mauvis, owner of Ile Maurice restaurant, said he was aware that a private luncheon party had been organised on that date but did not know who the guests were.
A source close to the restaurant confirmed 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's brother, Yusuf Vahed, would neither confirm nor deny the report.
Shaik was diagnosed in the final stages of a terminal illness in March 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.
Hospital staff had stated his condition was deteriorating.