Naked drama in Zimondi murder trial
What begun as an uneventful routine trial proceeding turned ugly and intense during the cross examination of defence witness, Mrs Julian Chineka, who is an aunt of accused murderer Pritchard Zimondi.
The 50-year old woman infuriated High Court Judge Justice Hlekani Mwayera when she attempted to remove her undergarments in court to prove a point to the prosecutor.
Mrs Chineka was being quizzed by State prosecutor Editor Mavuto regarding a thong and a bra which Chineka claims she gave to Zimondi who wanted to inquire from the deceased whether she wanted them.
The State has maintained that the same items of clothing belonged to the late Chinomona.
Mr Mavuto was insisting that the floral thong which forms part of the exhibit was not new and appeared to have been washed.
He requested Chineka if she was able to distinguish the difference between what she had termed ‘new but dirty panties’ and ‘used panties’ when the drama unfolded.
Chineka held her dress as if attempting to raise it and said, ‘I can take off the panties I am wearing right now and I will show you, then you will see the difference.”
Justice Mwayera immediately remonstrated the witness for undermining the court.
The Judge fumed, “Stop being a drama queen or a comedian from Mbare Musika! Who has asked you to take off your panties in a court of law? Your business is to answer questions.
“We don’t expect elderly women of 50 to behave in such an unbecoming manner. None of the court officers asked you to demean yourself in such a manner.”
The witness meekly apologised to the court.
Earlier, the defence lawyer had led evidence from Zimondi’s sister-in-law Sithabile Khumalo, who testified that on the 24th of April 2012 when Chinomona was murdered, Zimondi had met her at around 10 am in Gweru at Amtec Motors where he handed over his CV and some medical certificate.
She was grilled by the prosecutor over how they had actually met and the color of clothes Zimondi was wearing on the date in question.
The trial continues on Wednesday when the accused’s mother Grace Zimondi will take to the stand and narrate her side of the story.
