Section 52:

52. Witnesses may be called by accused (1) (a) The Magistrate before committing any accused person for trial shall demand and require of such person whether he desires to call any witness, and if such person calls or desires to call any witness, the Magistrate shall in his presence, and in the manner provided for taking the depositions of witnesses against the accused, take the deposition both examination and cross-examination of those who shall be called as witnesses and know anything relating to the facts and circumstances of the case or anything tending to prove the innocence of such accused person, and shall put the same in writing. (b) Such depositions shall be read over to and signed by the witnesses and shall be signed by the Magistrate, and otherwise dealt with as depositions of the witnesses against the accused. (2) Any such witness who, not being a witness merely to the character of the accused, in the opinion of the Magistrate gives evidence in any way material or tending to prove the innocence of the accused shall be bound by recognisance to appear and give evidence at the trial. (3) At the trial all enactments relating to depositions of witnesses for the prosecution shall be applicable to depositions hereby directed to be taken.