Family upset over murder trial delays

THE FAMILY of Sharisha Chauhan, a 21-year-old law student who was murdered at a rave party in Paarl, said delays in the trial have been emotionally taxing.

Yesterday, both the State and defence team requested a trial date be set by a Western Cape High Court judge. The matter has been on the roll at the high court for over two years. This is after a failed plea agreement.

State prosecutor Esna Erasmus said: “There have been a few meetings between the State and defence, but an agreement on plea and sentence cannot be reached. We therefore request a trial date.”

In response, the defence’s advocate Joey Moses said:“Genuine attempts for a plea-and-sentence agreement have been rendered meaningless and have never materialised. We agree to the request for a trial date.”

Judge Kate Savage set a date for October 23. She said she did not want another postponement.

Outside court, Chauhan’s mother, who did not want to be named, said the postponements in the matter were “frustrating”.

“It is like an emotional roller coaster ride. It has been emotionally taxing and frustrating to continuously come to court only to hear about more delays. This is a second trial date. We just hope that it be the last wait.”

The matter was supposed to be on trial in February, but delayed because of plea negotiations. –