Aleshina finally off the witness stand

Herald Correspondent

Businesswoman and investor Ms Tatiana Aleshina, who was testifying against opposition politician Tendai Biti in an assault case, finally stood down from the witness stand where she was under cross examination by Biti’s lawyer Mr Alec Muchadehama.

Mr Muchadehama had been cross examining the Russian businesswoman for the past three months.

Biti is facing charges of assaulting the businesswoman at the Harare Magistrates Court three years ago.

Before Ms Aleshina walked out of the witness stand the court had to adjourn for a few minutes to allow Mr Muchadehama to put his house in order as he kept repeating questions that he had asked the witness.

“If you no longer have new questions just say it rather than keeping on repeating what you have already asked the complainant,” said the magistrate Mrs Vongai Guwuriro Muchuchuti.

When the trial resumed Mr Muchadehama put it to Mrs Aleshina that his client was denying ever assaulting her.

During re-examination by Deputy Prosecutor General Mr Michael Reza Ms Aleshina denied being the owner of Augur Investments.

During a previous sitting, the businesswoman told the court that she thought the legislator was going to kill her when he agressively charged towards her.

Ms Aleshina told the court that Biti’s behaviour was unprofessional given that he is a prominent lawyer.

“When Biti charged towards me, he was very aggressive and in my mind I thought he was going to kill me,” she said.