Judge Makhwade defers Seretse ruling

Justice Makhwade was due to deliver the verdict yesterday but could not do so as the ruling was not yet ready. The matter was deferred to Friday. The prosecution approached the High Court complaining that Regional Magistrate Barnabas Nyamadzabo overruled the objection they raised, contending that the line of cross-examination by the defence team was improper.

The state contends that the manner in which defence was conducted allowed the introduction of inadmissible hearsay evidence prejudicial to its case. The state was also unhappy that defence was cross-examining its witness Taphudzani Pester Gabolokwe on questions of law whereas he was a witness of fact. The state further complained that the defence was allowed to ask misleading questions. The prosecution complained that the defence was allowed to use contents of the statements despite the fact that the author of such statements has not yet confirmed the said contents.