The Press
April 28 2008; 08:27
Charlene murder trial starts today
NZPA
Murdered:
George Gwaze is accused of murdering his niece Charlene Makaza.
The trial of a Zimbabwean man accused of
murdering and sexually violating his young niece is due to begin in
Christchurch today.
George Evans Gwaze, 54, a production
technician, faces charges he murdered Charlene Nyasha
Makaza, his 10-year-old niece and adopted daughter, between January 5 and 7
last year, and two counts of sexually violating her on or about January 6.
Charlene, who lived with Gwaze and his wife
and family at their home in Hollyford Ave, Bryndwr, Christchurch, died in the early hours of January 6
after she was found incapacitated and barely breathing in her bed and rushed to
hospital.
Gwaze was charged last February and
committed to trial after a depositions hearing in July.
A pathologist said Charlene died of
''multiple organ system failure consequent on global hypoxic injury
(deprivation of oxygen to the brain)''.
Hospital tests showed she was HIV-positive
but that did not explain her ''catastrophic collapse'', he said