BLOEMFONTEIN: One of Jacob Zuma's attorneys has rejected an out-of-court settlement offer by the state over search and seizure warrants executed by the Scorpions in their investigation of the former deputy president.

In papers filed at the Supreme Court of Appeal, the attorneys for Julie Mahomed said they had discussed the state's offer with her this week and their instructions were that the appeal would proceed on Monday.

Mahomed was Zuma's attorney from time to time.

Two of about 20 warrants obtained by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for searches of the homes of Zuma and the offices of his attorneys, Michael Hulley and Mahomed, had been for Mahomed's office and home.

Mahomed turned to the Johannesburg High Court after the raids, and the warrants were set aside.

The court declared them unlawful and ordered the state to return all items seized on August 18, 2005.

The state appealed the decision.

The matter is to be the first of three search and seizure appeal hearings related to investigations against Zuma that the Supreme Court of Appeal is to hear from next week.

In the settlement offer to Mahomed, the state undertook to drop the appeal under certain conditions and pay costs.

The state wanted the documents seized from Mahomed to be preserved "for the ongoing investigation into Mr Zuma and the Thint companies and any possible future proceedings against them". - Sapa

With acknowledgements to Sapa and Cape Times