Murder accused 'shocked' by Dewani gunshot
2012-08-30 15:44
Cape Town - A man convicted of killing honeymooner Anni Dewani said he was shocked when his accomplice allegedly shot her, the Western Cape High Court heard on Thursday.
"The shot, I wasn't expecting. I got quite a fright. That's why I decided to stop the vehicle," Mziwamadoda Qwabe said.
He was testifying in the trial of Xolile Mngeni, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Anni was shot in an apparent hijacking in Gugulethu on November 13 2010 while on a Cape Town honeymoon with her husband Shrien Dewani.
Qwabe said the shot was fired on Mew Way Road, between the Ndlovini and Harare informal settlements. They had been driving in the direction of C-Section in Khayelitsha, where they lived.
Mngeni's lawyer Qalisile Dayimani said surely the men would have discussed when they would shoot their female passenger, while driving the hijacked vehicle. Qwabe replied with a no.
"That's why I got a shock."
Qwabe said Mngeni must have seen they were getting nearer to home and panicked.
The witness said he stopped the vehicle in Ilitha Park, about 150m from where the shot was fired, and asked Mngeni if he had shot the woman. He replied yes.
Qwabe said he did not look to see whether she was dead or not, but must have had a brief look and saw her lying on the back seat.
Dayimani said if the intention had been to kill her, they would surely have established whether the hit had been successful.
Anni's father Vinod Hindocha, and her cousin Nishma, walked out of the court as Qwabe was speaking.
The trial continues.
- SAPA
