Dewani murder accused ‘a polite man’

Cape Town- 15-11-2010 A married couple was hijacked in Gugs whilst on their honeymoon.The husband got away and his wife was found dead in Khayalitsha - Pictures Jongi Ka Langa Story Mandi

Cape Town- 15-11-2010 A married couple was hijacked in Gugs whilst on their honeymoon.The husband got away and his wife was found dead in Khayalitsha - Pictures Jongi Ka Langa Story Mandi

Published Nov 24, 2010

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In less than a year, Mziwamadoda Qwabe lost his job and then his father.

The “polite young man” was left living alone in a house in Khayelitsha and started mixing with the “wrong” crowd, according to neighbours.

This was the picture of Qwabe, 25, one of three men accused of murdering British tourist Anni Dewani, that emerged on Tuesday when a Cape Times team visited the homes of the accused.

When the team arrived at Qwabe’s home the front windows were open, but no one responded. A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said Qwabe and his parents had moved to the area five years ago.

“At first they kept to themselves but then the father, Michael, opened up a lot. He was a messenger of sorts. It was a good job and Mziwamadoda started working with him. They had a bakkie and everything. Mziwamadoda was a polite young man,” she said.

The neighbour said Qwabe’s parents had a rocky relationship and shortly after arriving in Khayelitsha, his mother had moved to Philippi.

“She didn’t come here again. In January this year Mziwamadoda and Michael lost their jobs,” she said.

In June Qwabe’s father fell ill. “In two weeks he was dead.

“He would sometimes invite us over to drink, but in the last few months he changed. He was out partying a lot ... I’d hear his friends drop him off. His friends weren’t right for him,” the neighbour said.

At Duma’s Place, a shebeen which he frequented, residents said they knew him. “He’s a good guy,” a friend said.

Less than five minute’s drive from Qwabe’s house was second accused Xolile Mngeni’s small home, with an old rusting car parked outside.

An elderly woman there identified herself only as his grandmother. People had visited asking about him, she said.

“It’s too much for me. I’ll say nothing.” She then closed the front door. Neighbours opposite said they knew Mngeni, 23, and Qwabe were friends.

“They were bad news,” a neighbour said as Mngeni’s grandmother opened the front door and shouted at her for speaking to a reporter. No one wanted to speak after that.

At the third suspect 31-year-old Zola Robert Tongo’s home in Bothasig two cars were parked outside the large property but no one responded.

Two days ago in court it emerged Tongo, who had been chauffeuring Anni and Shrien Dewani more than a week ago when they were hijacked in Gugulethu, would enter a plea and sentence agreement with the state.

The three will appear in the Wynberg Regional Court on Monday on murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances and kidnapping charges.

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