Cape Town - A man accused of shooting honeymooner Anni Dewani will deny the allegations made by one of her convicted killers, the Western Cape High Court heard on Monday.
Lawyer Qalisile Matthews Dayimani, for Xolile Mngeni, said his client would deny that he and convicted murderer Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 27, had ever been friends. He would put it to the court that Qwabe was friends with Mngeni's older brother and knew of him only because they lived in the same area.
Mngeni has pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Dewani was shot dead in an apparent hijacking in Cape Town on November 13, 2010, while on honeymoon with her husband Shrien.
Qwabe, who is serving a 25-year jail term for his role in the murder plot, testified from the stand on Monday that he and Mngeni were friends who acted together in the murder.
He said he had come to know Mngeni through the accused's older brother. Their friendship had spanned about nine years. They often visited each other's homes in Khayelitsha and watched DVDs together.
He said Mngeni had been with him at his home when he received a call from an ex co-worker on November 12, 2010, saying a friend needed “a job” done.
The ex co-worker passed on Qwabe's phone number to the friend, shuttle driver Zola Tongo, who was jailed for 18 years as part of a plea agreement.
Tongo phoned Qwabe the same evening and told him he was looking for a hitman, as a man wanted to kill his wife. Qwabe said he turned to Mngeni during the phone call and told him about the job. Mngeni agreed and named a price of R15 000, which was conveyed back to Tongo.
Tongo said he would get in touch with them the following day. Dayimani put it to the court that Mngeni would deny being at Qwabe's home that night.
“The accused before court will deny the assertion... that he had had discussions with you over whether he would do the job and the amount paid,” the lawyer said.
He would also deny receiving a call from Qwabe the next day to meet him and Tongo in Khayelitsha, to discuss the hit.
“The accused... would say you called him and enquired from him if he can get buyers for a cellphone you were selling,” Dayimani said.
Qwabe had testified that he met Tongo at Khaya Bazaar in Khayelitsha on November 13, 2010. They had then driven to Sidima Circle to meet Mngeni and discuss the plan. Dayimani said his client would maintain he was at a friend's house in Sidima Circle that day to have his hair cut.
It was only by chance that he left the house and bumped into Tongo and Qwabe in Tongo's silver VW Sharan. He would also deny being with Qwabe for the rest of the day.
The cross-examination of Qwabe will resume on Tuesday. - Sapa