The Constitutional Court in Johannesburg was on Thursday devoid of the crowds of people that usually arrive in support of ANC president Jacob Zuma's court cases.

The crackling of police radios and the school children shuffling though one of the court's tours were in stark contrast to the usual singing and dancing that has characterised Zuma's many court appearances.

Photographers stood in wait for Zuma's legal team ahead of the court's judgment on the lawfulness of search and seizures carried out at his homes and offices, as well as the offices of his lawyer Michael Hulley and arms company Thint Holdings.

It would also deliver judgment on the lawfulness of a letter asking the Mauritian Attorney-General to send to South Africa 14 documents and statements about their authenticity.

While the Durban High Court upheld a challenge by Zuma and Hulley against the search and seizures, the Pretoria High Court ruled against a similar challenge by Thint.

However, the Supreme Court of Appeal later ruled that the search and seizures were valid and said the State could retain the seized items.

Zuma, Hulley and Thint are now asking the Constitutional Court to order the return of their documents, arguing that the search and seizure warrants were incomplete, overbroad and vague and that Zuma's rights were not adequately protected.

The State wants to use the documents against Zuma and two Thint companies in its fraud and money laundering trial.

The Mauritian documents were seized from the premises of Thint and its director Alain Thetard in 2001. The State also intends using these in the trials.

The case has also been the subject of a dispute between the court and Cape Judge President John Hlophe, who is challenging a complaint to the Judicial Service Commission that he allegedly attempted to influence two judges dealing with its rulings on Zuma.

Judgement is expected to be delivered at 11am.

With acknowledgements to Sapa.