Vermeulen trial postponed for a fifth time

The trial of former Zimbabwean Test batsman Mark Vermeulen, who is charged with arson attacks against Zimbabwe Cricket property in November, has been postponed to July. This is the fifth time that the case has been postponed since he first appeared in court in December.

Prosecutor Tawanda Zvekare told a Harare magistrate that the case could not be heard as the state was still deliberating over medical reports relating to Vermeulen's mental health.

"The accused is to be remanded until July 11," Zvekare said, adding that "the medical affidavit which we were waiting for has been compiled, and we are (still) making final deliberations". Vermeulen remains free on bail although his passport has been confiscated. He faces two counts of arson and will face 25 years in prison with hard labour if convicted.

He is accused of first trying to burn the ZC boardroom at the Harare Sports Club ground in October 2006 - the fire was quickly put out - and then burning down the pavilion at the Academy the following day. That fire destroyed the main building and it remains gutted.

As part of his defence, Vermeulen has been examined by a psychiatrist. Another medical report from Australia describing the effects of a serious skull fracture he sustained in January 2004 in a one-day match against India has also been submitted.