In his closing submissions, Deputy Prosecutor-General Mr
Michael Reza submitted that Biti used disrespectful words to describe the
assault victim.
“He boasted in court that he has more than 30 years of
experience in the legal field, (and) that he is a lawyer of repute. He used
some of the most disrespectful words to describe the complainant,” said Mr
Reza.
“Words which are not expected to be used by a lawyer of
such seniority.”
He further said Biti’s attempt to paint himself as a knight
in shining armour backfired spectacularly when he let loose the real reasons
for assaulting Mrs Aleshina.
He said Biti conceded that he was appearing in other courts
where he was representing his clients that are in conflict with the
complainant.
“Very clearly, he thoroughly disliked her personally
because he identified her as a person who is standing between his clients and
whatever it is that his clients hoped to achieve,” said Mr Reza.
He also submitted that Biti, in the trial, had falsely
accused Mrs Aleshina of having a hand in the appointment of Government
functionaries and commissioners to run Harare City Council.
“Some of the things she is alleged to have done were as far
back as 2002 when there is no evidence that she was even in Zimbabwe, but the
accused blamed her anyway,” submitted the State.
It was further submitted that all three witnesses who
testified against Biti corroborated their testimony, leaving the State’s case
proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Mr Reza said the fact that Biti failed to bring even one
witness, showed he committed the offence.
Biti is denying the offence and has challenged the assault
by gesture charge, saying it was unconstitutional.
Biti is facing allegations of verbally assaulting Mrs
Aleshina at the Harare Magistrates Court on November 30, 2020.
He is expected to submit his closing submissions on
February 2 and the ruling will be delivered on February 15. Herald
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