Judge excoriates prosecutors for shoddy preparation

"I warn the state that in all cases they should be ready with the necessary information," said Justice Chinhengo.

He said this during a murder trial which was scheduled for two days last week, ending at 6.45pm on the second day after convicting and sentencing the accused person. The case involved 27-year old Ishmael Bapasi of Kalakamati Village who killed his girlfriend by strangling her to death following a heated argument over the contents of her mobile phone. It was during the mitigation stage that the court asked the state counsel to advice the court whether Bapasi had any previous convictions.