The failure by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to prepare its paperwork led to a postponement in an urgent application in the Johannesburg High Court by one of former deputy president Jacob Zuma’s attorneys.

The court postponed the case requesting the return of items seized in this month’s raids until next Wednesday after counsel for the national director of public prosecutions and the investigating director of the Scorpions, Marumo Moerane, asked the Johannesburg High Court for more time to prepare a reply.

Julekha Mahomed had asked the high court to set aside the search warrants and that all objects seized from her home and office during raids of properties belonging to Zuma and his associates be returned to her.

In the meantime, the court also ordered that Mahomed’s laptop computer be returned to her as soon as possible.

The NPA refused to comment on why replying papers had not been filed on time.

The raids on Zuma’s attorneys were condemned by the General Council of the Bar. The council said the principle of attorney-client privilege or confidentiality was foundational to a fair system of criminal and civil justice.

With acknowledgements to Ernest Mabuza and the Business Day.