Zurenah Smit accused of “tactical delay” as medical evidence contradicts illness claims

MEDICAL evidence has contradicted the claims of illness by murder accused Zurenah Smit, with prosecutors alleging a “tactical delay” in her high-stakes trial.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN

Just hours after being discharged from Victoria Hospital and declared medically fit to stand trial, Smit secured a sick note from a separate GP claiming hypertension - a condition her hospital doctor testified was not present during her three-day medical observation.

As submitted by State prosecutor Renee Uys, this was yet another “tactical move to unreasonably delay” the matter in which Smit and her co-accused, Derek Sait, were to commence with the defence case at the Western Cape High Court.

The High Court has now ordered the GP to testify.

As court proceedings were set to get under way yesterday morning, Smit entered court with a crutch. Moments after the court went in session, retching could be heard from the dock where she sat.

At a previous court sitting, moments after the State prosecutor started reading out the charges against her and Sait, Smit collapsed in the dock and had to be wheeled away by emergency services.