Laywer accuses state of ‘trial by ambush’ in Simba Mhere crash court case

The lawyer representing Preshalin Naidoo‚ the man accused of causing Top Billing presenter Simba Mhere’s death‚ has accused the state of conducting a “trial by ambush” for not providing the defence with all relevant documentation.

Naidoo‚ 24‚ is on trial in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court facing two charges of culpable homicide.                  

Mhere and his friend‚ Kady-Shay O’Bryan‚ who was a passenger in the car Mhere was driving‚ died at the scene of the accident on William Nicol Drive in Fourways‚ on January 31‚ 2015.        

Naidoo’s lawyer‚ advocate Francios Roets‚ told the court on Monday that his client was not given all the evidence pertaining to the case against him.

“The accused has a right to know what case he is facing‚” said Roets.

“The state cannot dish out evidence as they please. The defence needs copies of all the documents it intends to use in the case.”              

Prosecutor Thys de Jager said the state had given the defence all relevant documentation.

“This is not a trial by ambush. Copies were given to the defence on time‚” said De Jager.      

 The trial continues.