‘Zola Tongo is a liar’

06-10-14 . Cape Town. Murder accused Shrien Dewani in the Western Cape High Court . Picture Brenton Geach

06-10-14 . Cape Town. Murder accused Shrien Dewani in the Western Cape High Court . Picture Brenton Geach

Published Nov 24, 2014

Share

Cape Town - Taxi driver and airport shuttle operator Zola Tongo told many lies when he gave evidence against British businessman Shrien Dewani because his wanted to falsely implicate Dewani in the murder of his wife, Swede Anni Hindocha.

This was the submission Dewani's advocate, Francois van Zyl SC made in the Western Cape High Court on Monday during an application lodged on Dewani's behalf.

Dewani has been charged with murder for allegedly orchestrating Anni's murder and requesting that the hit be made to look like a hijacking.

The State closed it's case last week after calling 16 witnesses over 21 court days.

Dewani then lodged an application in terms of section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act for his discharge and acquittal.

It is his argument that the State has not made out a case for him to meet and answer to.

Addressing the court as part of the application, Van Zyl submitted that the State's entire cases rested on Tongo's evidence.

“Mr Tongo is the entire pillar on which the State's case rests. If that pillar falls, then the whole case collapses,” he said.

Van Zyl argued that Tongo's evidence was of a poor nature and that his explanations for contradictions in his evidence were laughable.

He added that the contradictions in his versions were material in “what should be a very simple story to tell”.

“Where don't know where the truth lies,” he added, saying that the lies were only intended to incriminate Dewani.

The trial continues.

IOL

Related Topics: