Murder-accused Peter Beale tells court he’s been subjected to ‘trial by media’

JOHANNESBURG - Murder-accused paediatric surgeon Peter Beale has told the Johannesburg High Court that he’s been subjected to a trial by the media.

Beale is currently testifying at his trial, where he’s charged with fraud and murder in connection with the deaths of three children he operated on.

ALSO READ:

- Victim's father wants murder-accused paediatric surgeon Peter Beale prosecuted at all costs

- One of Peter Beale’s alleged victims’ father hopes no family experiences what his did

- Peter Beale describes as 'tragic' deaths of patients he stands accused of murdering

Proceedings finally got underway earlier in 2023 - five years after he was first arrested and charged.

State advocate Steven Rubin kicked off with a question to Beale on Monday morning during cross-examination.

He asked him about comments Beale made previously to the effect that the family of one of the children involved, Zayaan Sayed, was “influential”.

He said that the child’s father, Mohammadh Sayed, who’s a director of tobacco manufacturer Carnilinx, made his position clear in the media.

He also said there was, in fact, “a trial by media” after the child’s death, which is highly publicised.

Beale was also asked about his decision to bring the book Tobacco Wars to a previous court sitting.

It was suggested that this was an attempt to “intimidate” Zayaan’s mother when she was giving evidence. He, however, strongly denied this.