Cape Town - A man on trial for Anni Dewani's murder will deny meeting with his friend hours after her death, the Western Cape High Court heard on Thursday.
Qalisile Dayimani said his client Xolile Mngeni did not meet his friend, who is testifying, at his shack in the early hours of Sunday, November 14, 2010.
The witness, who may not be identified, said Mngeni was lying.
The lawyer said his client would also deny sleeping in his friend's shack that day.
“He slept there the whole night,” the witness testified.
Dewani was killed in Gugulethu on November 13, 2010, in an apparent hijacking while on honeymoon with her husband Shrien.
Mngeni has pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The witness previously testified that Mngeni arrived at his shack after midnight and they spoke for a short while. Mngeni showed him a brown Nokia cellphone, which he said he had “picked up” in Ilitha Park.
He said Mngeni and his girlfriend slept at his shack that night.
The next day, the witness, Mngeni and a friend took a taxi to the V&A Waterfront, where they bought a variety of expensive clothing items.
Dayimani said he would not deny that Mngeni had gone with the men to the Waterfront that day.
The trial continues. - Sapa