A Constable's ability to read and explain rights to the two people arrested for allegedly killing rightwing leader Eugene Terre Blanche came under the spotlight.

Constable Kedibone Mokwele was asked by a defence lawyer in the Mahikeng High Court sitting in Ventersdorp to read a phrase in English and explain it in Setswana.

She was unable to do so, prompting defence lawyer Kgomotso Tlouane to say: "Madam, you are pathetic."

Tlouane is acting for Chris Mahlangu who, along with a minor, is accused of beating Terre Blanche to death in his farmhouse outside Ventersdorp on April 3 2010.

Both have pleaded not guilty to murder, housebreaking, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Mahlangu claims he acted in self defence. The teenager has denied involvement in the crime.

In a trial within a trial yesterday on the admissibility of evidence, Mokwele said she read the accused their rights after their arrest, first in English and then explained the contents in Setswana.

It was at this point that Tlouane asked her to read a phrase from the notice of rights. She was unable to do so.

She read, "You are now complete to make a statement" instead of "You are not compelled to make a statement."

He asked: "How do you explain the rights to a person when you yourself do not understand it?"

Mokwele said her command of English was not very good, but she had done everything by the book.