Harare woman Elizabeth Parirenyatwa’s bid to evade cross-examination finally hit a brick wall after her medical doctor wrote a letter to the court stating that she is fit to attend proceedings.
She will now be subjected to cross-examination by the defence on May 27.
Yesterday, Parirenyatwa tendered a letter which she claimed was from her doctor, stating that she was unwell and unfit for any duty.
This was vehemently contested by the defence, who argued that she had been moving up and down the court corridors earlier that morning.
The State then undertook to subpoena the doctor to come and clarify Parirenyatwa’s alleged illness.
The lawyers yesterday accused Parirenyatwa of turning the court into a circus.
“The witness is abusing the criminal justice system. Her attitude toward these proceedings is turning this court into a circus,” said the defence.
The defence further stated that they have not been informed of what illness the witness is suffering from, or how such a condition prevents her from testifying.
“Just before court sat this morning, this witness was going up and down the corridors,” the defence said.
They added that Parirenyatwa was seen talking to people and was also in the prosecutor-in-charge’s office.
“It is, therefore, bizarre that the same person is now claiming to be unfit to testify.
It is clear to us that the witness is deliberately sabotaging these proceedings,” said the defence.
The defence submitted that all that is required of her is to testify—something she appears unwilling to do.
“If she is unwilling to proceed, that is her choice, but it must not prejudice the accused persons.
If she insists that she does not want to testify, her evidence must be expunged, and the State should close its case,” they submitted.
The lawyers also cited the case of Mr. Murphy, who is reportedly ill and dependent on an oxygen machine, yet has attended court diligently.
“She cannot cause the arrest of the accused persons and then refuse to testify,” the lawyers argued.
The matter was then deferred to tomorrow, when the doctor is expected to appear and testify regarding the letter.
Last week, Parirenyatwa withdrew from cross-examination, claiming that her sugar levels had dropped while leading evidence.
According to investigations based on available genealogical records, there is no documented familial relationship between Cecil John Rhodes and Brian James Rhodes, as purported by Parirenyatwa.