The murder and rape trial of a South African soldier in Burundi has hit a snag because the key witness wants $2 000 (about R12 000) for his testimony, Beeld newspaper reported on Monday.
It said a taxi driver who was supposed to link Sergeant Philippus Jacobus Venter to the crime failed to turn up to give evidence.
Venter appeared in Bujumbura before three senior South African military judges on Saturday.
The South African National Defence Force earlier said Venter was arrested on October 1, 2004, for the alleged murder and rape of a woman in Bujumbura in September that year.
He also faced charges of obstructing justice, assault and absence without leave.
The case was expected to continue until March 9. Beeld said the key witness, Claude Damacene, apparently left Burundi a few days before the trial was set to get under way.
Informed sources said it would require the intervention of the Burundi government to get Damacene in the witness stand.
Residents of Bujumbura attending the trial said Damacene wanted money for his testimony.
Venter was the first South African peace soldier to be charged with the murder of a citizen in his host country. – Sapa