Crucial parts of the transcript of a road rage murder trial cannot be found.

This emerged on Monday as the trial of Meekahaefele Masooa was expected to continue in the Johannesburg High Court.

Masooa‚ a lawyer from Centurion‚ shot and killed motorbiker Douglas Pearce‚ 39‚ in Northriding‚ Johannesburg‚ during morning rush hour traffic on February 14 2014. Masooa pleaded not guilty to murder and said he acted in self-defence after Pearce chased him down brandishing a firearm.

The incomplete transcript was discovered after Masooa’s newly appointed advocate Lydia van Niekerk requested it to familiarise herself with the facts of the matter.

Prosecutor Arveena Persad said only 20% of the transcripts were on record‚ with the other 80% missing.

Persad said the testimony of key state witnesses and Masooa’s own testimony were among the missing portions.

Judge Brian Spilg told Persad she had to find and make the transcripts available to Masooa within a week. He postponed the case to July 26.

Speaking outside court‚ Masooa said he was concerned by the missing transcripts.

“I want everything that has gone on in court to be available‚ so that my attorney can prepare herself well. How can the very first state witness’s evidence not be on record‚ and my own? I find this highly concerning‚” Masooa said.

The trial is nearing its conclusion. The state and defence have presented their cases but Spilg asked for further expert testimony to clarify some matters before the lawyers make their closing arguments.