Lawyers for Durban businessman Schabir Shaik on Friday failed to lodge papers with the constitutional court, appealing his corruption and fraud conviction and sentence.

Lawyers for Durban businessman Schabir Shaik on Friday failed to lodge papers with the constitutional court, appealing his corruption and fraud conviction and sentence.

Hearing radio reports on the possibility of papers being filed, court officials kept the office open an extra half-hour.

However, it had received nothing from Shaik's lawyers by the end of the day - not even an indication of an intention to file.

Shaik was sentenced to 15 years in jail last year, a verdict later upheld by the supreme court of appeal.

Last month the state said it had received a letter from Shaik's lawyers giving notice of intention to challenge the finding in the constitutional court.

Though they missed the deadline, they might still apply for condonation of a late filing. - Sapa