'I can't breathe': Zurenah Smit's emotional breakdown delays high-profile murder trial

Proceedings in the Western Cape High Court ground to a halt Wednesday morning when accused husband killer Zurenah Smit broke down inconsolably as she was made to recount the night of his murder.

Smit was being led by her defence attorney Susan Kuun with regard to the murder charge she faces.

It was Smit's testimony that she and Stefan Smit were having supper with a friend on the evening of the murder when she said they heard “a huge noise”. 

Again assisted by a court translator due to her being inaudible, Smit told the court: “I heard…I saw this dark side of someone rushing…screaming ‘money where is the money?’. And I screamed.

“Later in my nightmares, I remember being strangled (and) being lifted off my feet. I remember being pulled up from the floor and being thrown down beside Amelia,” said Smit before she started sobbing on the witness stand.

Proceedings were halted briefly for her to compose herself however the matter was adjourned due to Smit being unable to continue testimony in her emotional state.

The matter will resume Thursday morning with paramedics on standby at the State's request.

State Prosecutor Renee Uys said they were concerned about how long it would take to conclude the matter if it continued at “this snail's pace”.

Uys submitted two options to ensure that Smit would be in a position to continue her testimony which included having her bail revoked and have her admitted to an alternative address in accordance with a section 68 application under the Criminal Procedures Act.

Alternatively Uys requested the assistance of paramedics to be present at court on Thursday when Smit is expected to continue her testimony. Judge Wille granted the latter request.

During the adjournment Smit could be heard crying inconsolably and at one point said “I can't breathe”.

She was assisted by court translator Nomfundo Damon and her advocate, Kuun.

“My Lord, you weren't privy to it but while we were in court (during adjournment), none of us left the court and there were serious indications of serious illnesses which could obviously, once again, curtail proceedings.

“I request the court to assist us with that so that we can expedite the trial continuing. I understand that it will only be for two hours but at least then we can make use of the full two hours,” submitted Uys.

Meanwhile, before Smit resumed her testimony, a medical referral letter was handed to court. It detailed that she attended Lady Michaelis Clinic in Plumstead on Tuesday. The referral letter noted that Smit presented with “ongoing symptoms” following her recent three-day observation at Victoria Hospital but it was confirmed she was in a position to testify. 

Smit, alongside her co-accused Derek Sait, is accused of killing 62-year-old Stellenbosch farmer Stefan and having the murder look like a robbery.

Previously the court heard that Smit and a guest were unscathed in the apparent attack. She became a person of interest in the murder after she was left out of Smit’s will, which was altered in 2018 when more than R200 000 was stolen from his safe, including Kruger Rand coins and a firearm.

Earlier this week, Smit maintained her innocence when she made bare denials of being involved with robberies and the 2019 murder carried out at Louisenhof Farm where she lived with slain Stefan. Accused of being the mastermind of the murder earlier this week, answering to the count of conspiracy to commit murder, she denied offering money to anybody to have her husband killed. 

She also denied using sleeping tablets to drug her husband in order to gain access to a safe.

Cape Times