Accused husband killer, Zurenah Smit, maintains her innocence as she returned to the dock this week to continue her testimony currently under cross-examination by the State.

On Monday, Smit continued her testimony, speaking directly to the court without the need for an interpreter, which had been necessary during her previous appearances.

Questioned about her involvement and the charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances on June 2, 2019, where safe keys and R16,000 cash were stolen from Stefan Smit’s possession, which he carried in a moonbag, Zurenah denied the allegations.

Answering her attorney, Susan Kuun’s question if she had been involved in the planning of taking the items, Zurenah said “not at all”.

Kuun further questioned Zurenah regarding the fraud charges she faces, in which she fraudulently produced documents, including a will, on January 12, 2019. 

“I did not draft that will or sign the document. That document was found inside my husband’s diary,” Zurenah said. 

During cross-examination on Monday by State prosecutor Renee Uys, Zurenah was questioned about the murdered Louisenhof farmowner, who was described as a wealthy man, and described the murder plot as “biting the hand that feeds you”.

During the proceedings, Zurenah confirmed that she and Smit signed an ante-nuptial agreement when they married in 2005.

Uys questioned Zurenah about a 2008 will in which it stated that Zurenah was named as a beneficiary nominated as a trustee, bequeathed R5 million, and the beneficiary of an insurance policy payout upon Smit’s demise. Similarly, a 2009 will was also subject to cross-examination in which Zurenah was also nominated as a trustee and financial beneficiary.

Probed about the alleged last will and testament of 2019, Uys said to Zurenah that her version, in which she told the court that she had no sight of the “new” will after finding it in Smit’s diary, Uys said with Zurenah’s “liberty at stake…your version does not make sense”. 

Uys argued that only one person stood to benefit from Smit’s demise, “and that is you”, she submitted to the court.

“I deny that,” said Zurenah. 

In 2022, Western Cape High Court Judge Babalwa Pearl Mantame found that the 2019 will was null and void. 

In the separate court matter, Judge Mantame noted: “The inference to be drawn from the evidence presented… is that the applicant (Zurenah) forged the three documents for her own benefit, planned and ultimately was instrumental in the killing of the deceased for her to be able to take control of the entire estate, including the trusts.”

The matter continues on Wednesday. 

chevon.booysen@inl.co.za

Source link