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Anni Dewani murderer critically ill as husband awaits trial in South Africa Anni Dewani murderer critically ill as husband awaits trial in South Africa
(35 minutes later)
A South African man convicted of murdering Anni Dewani on her honeymoon in 2010 is critically ill in hospital as her husband awaits trial.A South African man convicted of murdering Anni Dewani on her honeymoon in 2010 is critically ill in hospital as her husband awaits trial.
Xolile Mngeni, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour soon after his arrest in 2011, could be a crucial witness in the trial of Shrien Dewani, the British businessman accused of orchestrating his wife's killing.Xolile Mngeni, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour soon after his arrest in 2011, could be a crucial witness in the trial of Shrien Dewani, the British businessman accused of orchestrating his wife's killing.
There had been hopes he was recovering, but Simphiwe Xako, a government correctional services spokesman, told South Africa's Times newspaper that Mngeni is now in a critical condition at Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town. There had been hopes he was recovering but Simphiwe Xako, a government correctional services spokesman, told South Africa's Times newspaper that Mngeni is now in a critical condition at Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town.
Dewani, 34, who is in a psychiatric hospital in the same city, is accused of paying Mngeni and two other men to kill Anni, who was shot in the neck when the couple's taxi was apparently carjacked in Gugulethu township just outside Cape Town. He denies the charge and says the couple were kidnapped at gunpoint and he was released unharmed.Dewani, 34, who is in a psychiatric hospital in the same city, is accused of paying Mngeni and two other men to kill Anni, who was shot in the neck when the couple's taxi was apparently carjacked in Gugulethu township just outside Cape Town. He denies the charge and says the couple were kidnapped at gunpoint and he was released unharmed.
Mngeni, whose trial was repeatedly delayed while he had surgery to remove the brain tumour, was convicted of the murder and jailed for life. Zola Tongo, a taxi driver, was jailed for 18 years after he admitted his part in the killing while another man, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, pleaded guilty to murder and was jailed for 25 years.Mngeni, whose trial was repeatedly delayed while he had surgery to remove the brain tumour, was convicted of the murder and jailed for life. Zola Tongo, a taxi driver, was jailed for 18 years after he admitted his part in the killing while another man, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, pleaded guilty to murder and was jailed for 25 years.
Both Tongo and Qwabe testified that Dewani had ordered the killing, with Tongo claiming that the businessman offered him 15,000 rand (£831) to find two hitmen, with Mngeni firing the fatal shot.Both Tongo and Qwabe testified that Dewani had ordered the killing, with Tongo claiming that the businessman offered him 15,000 rand (£831) to find two hitmen, with Mngeni firing the fatal shot.
But Mngeni did not implicate Dewani and could therefore be used to support his defence‚ if he recovers and is deemed able to take the stand. Mngeni has claimed that he was abused by police after his arrest, which could be used to raise doubts about the conduct of their investigation.But Mngeni did not implicate Dewani and could therefore be used to support his defence‚ if he recovers and is deemed able to take the stand. Mngeni has claimed that he was abused by police after his arrest, which could be used to raise doubts about the conduct of their investigation.
In 2011 Vusi Tshabalala, who was Mngeni's lawyer at the time, told the Guardian: "In the process of interrogating him, police would physically assault him with fists and use a plastic bag to suffocate him. He was frightened." In 2011, Vusi Tshabalala, who was Mngeni's lawyer at the time, told the Guardian: "In the process of interrogating him, police would physically assault him with fists and use a plastic bag to suffocate him. He was frightened."
Tshabalala added the police used "irregular methods" because they were under pressure to solve such a crime that had put South Africa under international scrutiny. Tshabalala added the police used "irregular methods" because they were under pressure to solve such a crime that had put South Africa under international scrutiny. The claim was echoed by Qwabe's lawyer, Thabo Nogemane, who said his client was beaten "all over his body" with a heavy torch and a statement he gave to police was suggested to him by officers.
The claim was echoed by Qwabe's lawyer, Thabo Nogemane, who said his client was beaten "all over his body" with a heavy torch and a statement he gave to police was "suggested" to him by officers. Dewani, from Bristol, had been in hospital for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder but was finally extradited from the UK in April to face trial in South Africa. He was sent to Cape Town's Valkenberg psychiatric hospital for observation in advance of the trial.
Dewani, from Bristol, had been in hospital for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder but was finally extradited from the UK in April to face trial in South Africa. He was sent to Cape Town's Valkenberg psychiatric hospital for observation in advance of the trial. A court hearing last month heard that his condition has improved. He is due to appear again on 20 June. A court hearing last month heard that his condition has improved. He is due to appear again on 20 June.