Qwabe cross-examination continues

Mziwamadoda Qwabe, who is serving 25 years for his role in the murder, was called as the State's second witness in the Western Cape High Court.

 

His evidence-in-chief fleshed out the details of an alleged plot to stage a hijacking in return for R15,000.

 

The State alleges Dewani masterminded the plot, resulting in the murder of his wife on November 13, 2010 during their honeymoon in Cape Town.

 

He has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, conspiracy to commit these crimes, and with defeating the ends of justice.

 

He maintains the couple were hijacked as they were being driven through Gugulethu, Cape Town, in a shuttle bus by Zola Tongo.

 

On Wednesday, Francois van Zyl, for Dewani, questioned why Qwabe would accept an instruction to kill for money but not discuss details like how and where Anni should be killed. He also wanted to know who had suggested the amount of R15,000 for the murder.

 

Qwabe said it was suggested by gunman Xolile Mngeni when they found out a hitman was needed.

 

Van Zyl checked that he was sure Mngeni suggested it and not Tongo.

 

The lawyer said it seemed a coincidence that Tongo had testified about speaking to the man who wanted his wife killed, and that the amount he was prepared to pay the hitman was R15,000.

 

The public has taken a keen interest in the case, with the public gallery packed to capacity every day of the trial so far.

 

Tongo admitted guilt to murder in a plea bargain and was jailed for 18 years on December 7, 2010. He said in his plea that Dewani had offered him R15,000 to have Anni killed.

 

Qwabe pleaded guilty to the murder in August 2012.

 

Mngeni was convicted of Dewani's murder on November 19, 2012. He received a life sentence.