The Fishrot trial in the High Court has experienced another round of arguments, with the defence accusing the State of being dismissive regarding requests for additional information about the charges against the accused individuals.
The disclosure dispute centers on whether the State has given the accused enough information to understand the specific allegations against them and prepare their defence.
Lawyer Ileni Gebhardt, representing Ricardo Gustavo, argued that her client should not be expected to search through thousands of documents to establish what he is specifically accused of doing.
Gebhardt said the defence needs clear details about the alleged offences, including the conduct involved, the amounts concerned and how each accused is linked to the charges.
She asked the court to order the state to provide the requested particulars within 21 days or identify where the relevant information appears in the disclosed documents.
State Advocate Cliff Lutibezi rejected the defence's arguments and maintained that the State has already provided witness statements, documentary evidence and an indictment setting out the allegations.
He argued that the prosecution has nothing to hide and has disclosed the evidence on which it intends to rely.
Lutibezi further submitted that the indictment already outlines the allegations against the accused and that the defence's demands, in some instances, go beyond seeking clarification and amount to requests for additional evidence.
He further argued that the State is prepared to provide clarification where necessary.
At the same hearing, former Justice Minister Sacky Shanghala, another accused in the matter, told the court that he is considering a fresh application to be released from custody.
Shanghala cited an audio recording allegedly involving Deputy Prosecutor General Edward Marondedze and his son, saying it contains new information that could support his application.
He told the court that the recording allegedly includes discussions about him and Judge Rakow, among other issues relating to the Fishrot matter.
Judge Rakow indicated that she has not listened to the recording and postponed her ruling on the disclosure application to 08 December.