Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act Zimbabwe 175. Proceedings if defence is an alibi If in any case the defence of the accused is that commonly called an alibi, and the court before which the trial is held considers that the accused might be prejudiced in making such defence if proof were admitted that the act or offence in question was committed on some day or time other than the day or time stated in the indictment, summons or charge, then, although the day or time proposed to be proved is within a period of three months before or after the day stated in the indictment, summons or charge, the court shall reject such proof, and thereupon the same consequences shall take place as in paragraph (b) of section one hundred and seventy-three mentioned, anything in that section to the contrary notwithstanding. 176. Indictments relating to blasphemous, seditious, obscene or defamatory matters No count for publishing a blasphemous, seditious, obscene or defamatory matter, or for selling or exhibiting any obscene book, pamphlet, newspaper or other printed or written matter, shall be open to objection or deemed insufficient on the ground that it does not set out the words thereof: Provided that the court may order that particulars shall be furnished by the prosecutor stating what passages in such book, pamphlet, newspaper, printing or writing are relied on in support of the charge. 177. Court may order delivery of particulars (1) The court may either before or at the trial, in any case if it thinks fit, direct that particulars be delivered to the accused of any matter alleged in the indictment, summons or charge, and may, if necessary, adjourn the trial for the purpose of the delivery of such particulars. (2) Such particulars shall be delivered to the accused or to his legal representative without charge, and shall be entered in the record, and the trial shall proceed in all respects as if the indictment, summons or charge had been amended in conformity with such particulars. (3) [subsection repealed by section 13 of Act 9 of 2006] 178. Application to quash indictment (1) The accused may, before pleading, apply to the court to quash the indictment, summons or charge on the ground that it is calculated to prejudice or embarrass him in his defence. (2) Upon an application in terms of subsection (1), the court may quash the indictment, summons or charge or may order it to be amended in such manner as the court thinks just or may refuse to make any order on the application. (3) If the accused alleges that he is wrongly named in the indictment, summons or charge, the court may, on being satisfied by affidavit or otherwise of the error, order it to be amended. 179. Notice of application to quash indictment and of certain pleas to be given When the accused intends to apply to have an indictment, summons or charge quashed under section one hundred and seventy-eight or to except or to plead any of the pleas mentioned in section one hundred and eighty, except the plea of guilty or not guilty, he shall give reasonable notice, regard being had to the circumstances of each particular case, to the Prosecutor-General or his representative if the trial is before the High Court, or to the public prosecutor if the trial is before a magistrates court, or when the prosecution is a private one to the private prosecutor, stating the grounds upon which he seeks to have the indictment, summons or charge quashed or upon which he bases his exception or plea: Provided that— (i) the Prosecutor-General or prosecutor, as the case may be, may waive such notice; By Laws.Africa and contributors. Licensed under CC-BY. Share widely and freely. 80