The Jacob Zuma court case remains as divisive as ever. The African National Congress president and French arms company Thint on Thursday lost their appeal to stop seized evidence being used them in a corruption trial.

Separately, Zuma is expected to apply to the court on August 4 to have the case against him reviewed.

Nine of the 10 judges of the Constitutional Court said warrants used in raids on Zuma and his lawyer were valid and the state could use seized documents in its prosecution of Zuma.

In a unanimous decision, the court also cleared the way for the use of a diary and other documents from Mauritius in the same trial -- another blow to Zuma, who tried to block prosecutors from obtaining the documents.

South African Communist Party secretary general Blade Nzimande said "the whole Hlophe matter" had prepared them for this outcome. "Irrespective of whatever is happening, he [Zuma] is going to be the president of the republic," he said.

The Democratic Alliance believed the ruling showed the highest court could act without fear or favour and that a major obstacle to Zuma facing justice had been removed. "If Zuma is indeed innocent, they have nothing to be concerned about because they can have faith in the independence and impartiality of the judiciary," said party leader Helen Zille.

While the case must be allowed to run its course, every day that it is delayed provides further ammunition to Zuma supporters who say he is the victim of a political plot.

His trial has been hanging over all our heads for too long. Hasten the day of the court case.

With acknowledgements to Mail and Guardian.