The murder trial of Najwa Petersen started in Cape Town on Monday with her advocate demanding that the state provide more details of the allegations against her.
Klaus von Lieres und Wilkau brought the application before Petersen and her three co-accused were asked to plead in the Cape High Court.
They have been charged with the murder of her entertainer husband, Taliep, in the couple’s Athlone, Cape Town, home in December 2006.
Von Lieres said that although Petersen’s defence had lodged two requests for further particulars of the charges, there was still no clarity on exactly who was alleged to have done what, and when.
”An accused can’t be left to the mercy of speculation to prepare his defence,” Von Lieres told Judge Siraj Desai.
”Making the dossier available does not absolve the state of the responsibility to properly supply particulars,” he said.
He said the state was sowing confusion by maintaining it relied on possible evidence that could emerge during the case.
”Must [an accused] use a crystal ball if it’s not clear? It can’t work like that,” Von Lieres said.
The public gallery in courtroom one was filled with family and friends of both Petersens for the start of the trial.
It was due to get under way in February but was delayed in part by a last-minute change in Petersen’s legal representation.
She has had three separate lawyers since her arrest early last year.
Petersen and her co-accused were met by a battery of press photographers and TV cameras when they emerged from the cells to take their place in the dock.
Petersen, wearing her customary dark glasses, a blue headscarf and pale blue top, was impassive in the face of the attention. — Sapa