The Supreme Court of Appeal was evacuated following a bomb scare shortly after judgment was delivered in the case of ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma's former financial advisor, Schabir Shaik.

Police entered the building with dogs after ordering everybody out.

Vernon Vorster, a registrar's clerk, said he received a phone call from a man claiming to be from a radio station, asking him to read out the 95 page judgement.

"Then suddenly it seemed as if he was speaking to a third person and said we should vacate the premises... a bomb is going to go off."

By 11.50am police had completed their search and it was back to work for Appeal Courts employees who had spent some time milling about in the sunshine in the garden in front of the court.

With acknowledgement to Sapa and Independent On Line.