Biti's assault trial put on continuous roll

The trial of opposition politician Tendai Biti, who is facing a charge of verbal assault, is scheduled to run continuously for four days, from November 21 to 24. The defense had requested additional time to present its submissions, and Magistrate Vongai Guwuriro granted the request after the State concluded its case last month.

Biti, a member of the opposition, had initially begun submitting his defense three weeks ago but later changed course and filed a third application for referral to the Constitutional Court, citing the infringement of his constitutional rights. However, Guwuriro dismissed the application, stating that the court had already ruled on the same matter twice and could not reconsider its decision.

The State, represented by Advocate Tafara Chirambira and Michael Reza, proposed a continuous roll for the trial to bring closure to the three-year-long matter. Biti is accused of assaulting businesswoman and investor Tatiana Aleshina at the Harare Magistrates Court in 2020, a charge he denies.