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Prosper Dembedza Herald Correspondent
Ruling on an application by politician and lawyer Tendai Biti for discharge at the close of the State’s case on a charge of assault was delayed yesterday after his lawyer failed to serve the State with papers on time.
Mr Alec Muchadehama apologised to the court for the late submission of his client’s application saying he was engaged with elections.
Deputy Prosecutor General Mr Micheal Reza confirmed receiving the application and undertook to respond later today.
Mr Reza noted the court would soon be marking the fourth anniversary of the trial, which he said had no end in sight.
The presiding magistrate Mrs Vongai Guwuriro deferred the matter to September 8 for ruling.
Biti is facing charges of assaulting business person and property investor Mrs Tatiana Aleshina at the Harare Magistrates Court.
During the previous court sitting day in the long trial, the State led by Mr Reza closed its case after leading evidence from a Trauma Centre doctor who attended to Mrs Aleshina after the alleged assault.
In her testimony last month, the doctor told court that the Mrs Aleshina had pain and tenderness on her right shoulder region after she examined her.
She said if a person was stressed or threatened, she or he could faint or in worst scenario could suffer from a heart attack.
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