Mngeni not told what to say - witness

2012-09-20 16:02

Xolile Mngeni. (File, AP)

Cape Town - The investigating officer in Anni Dewani's murder did not tell her alleged gunman what to say in his "confession", the Western Cape High Court heard on Thursday.

Captain Paul Hendrikse said Xolile Mngeni, 25, was at no stage coached in his "confession" or the pointing out of scenes linked to the crime.

The allegations of assault by policemen from his arrest on 16 November 2010 to his first court appearance on 18 November were also false, he said.

"No assault took place on this accused. None I am aware of. I can say, it definitely didn't happen."

Mngeni has pleaded not guilty to the hijacking, robbing and killing Dewani in Gugulethu on 13 November 2010. She was on honeymoon with her husband Shrien at the time.

The defence claimed Mngeni was severely assaulted numerous times in this period, in the basement of the Directorate for Priority Crimes building in Bellville.

The court was hearing a trial-within-a-trial to decide whether to admit as evidence Mngeni's "confession".

- SAPA