Doctor alters testimony regarding Zurenah Smit's health
Zurenah Smit confers with her legal counsel during proceedings at the Western Cape High Court. Moments earlier, medical testimony revealed contradictions between her hospital discharge report and a GP's sick note
Image: Chevon Booysen
Dr Imraan Shaikh, the general practitioner who issued a sick note for accused husband killer Zurenah Smit, has recanted his earlier findings regarding her health.
In court, Dr Shaikh revealed that he had not conducted a physical examination of Smit. Instead, following her discharge from Victoria Hospital after a three-day stay, he performed a telephonic consultation.
Dr Shaikh told the court that he received a call from Smit at 4.30pm requesting for a house call which he could not accommodate. They agreed on a telephonic consultation which was conducted for approximately six minutes.
The doctor, who shares medical insights via his social media platforms, confirmed that he does telephonic and virtual consultations.
Added to this, the matter has now hit another delay as Smit's counsel, Susan Kuun, submitted Smit was not "feeling well" but attended court due to a warrant of arrest which could be enforced if she does not appear in court as per her bail conditions.
Probed about Smit's consultation on November 16, Dr Shaikh said he was told by Smit of her hospital stay and she described symptoms to him including weakness in her right side, slurred speech and that she had allegedly collapsed while at Victoria Hospital, which he said alluded to a mini-stroke.
In a pivotal moment during Zurenah Smit's (pictured in black) trial, Dr Imraan Shaikh retracts his medical assessment, leading to questions about her alleged illness and the implications for her defence.
Image: Chevon Booysen
Judge Derek Wille questioned Dr Shaikh on whose evidence he should rely on after a physician (Dr Shakil Hoosain) had examined her at the Victoria Hospital and during observations and examinations at hospital, found Smit to be medically fit to be discharged as well as fit to participate in a criminal trial.
Dr Shaikh submitted that Dr Hoosain had "a better assessment" of Smit due to the physical observations made.
Recanting his findings relating to the telephonic consultation, Dr Shaikh said: "Based on what I have come to know and the evidence of the other doctor, it (Dr Hoosain's finding) would weigh heavier."
State prosecutor Renee Uys argued vehemently against a further postponement of the matter as the court recess period is anticipated, this as Judge Wille pointed to Smit's medical condition.
Judge Wille said the last week of court term, December 1st to 5th, is not usually used for trials but due to the two applications and its pending authorisation, he would make the allowance.
Uys argued that the State is also entitled to a fair trial.
"During the State's case, she was miraculously, perfectly fine. The minute her section 174 application was dismissed, now the sudden onset of illness. I understand that the defence case might be a stressful process for her but medical tests were conducted in hospital and they still find that she is fit to stand trial," said Uys.
Judge Wille postponed the matter to allow Smit to be in a "better medical state" and to allow for the Legal Aid board's pending authorisations.
The matter will resume on December 1.
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