Anni Dewani's suspected killer 'will deny' being friends with one of convicted murderers

Cape Town - A man accused of shooting Indian-origin bride Anni Dewani will deny the allegations that he and one of her convicted murderers had ever been friends, a court has heard.

Lawyer Qalisile Matthews Dayimani, for Xolile Mngeni, told the Western Cape High Court on Monday that his client would deny being friends with Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 27.

According to News24, he will now tell the court that Qwabe was friends with Mngeni's older brother and knew of him only because they lived in the same area.

Qwabe, who is serving a 25-year jail term for his role in the murder plot, testified from the stand on Monday that he and Mngeni were friends who acted together in the murder.

He claimed Mngeni had been with him at his home when he received a call from an ex co-worker on 12 November 2010, saying a friend needed 'a job' done.According to the report, Dayimani put it to the court that Mngeni would deny being at Qwabe's home that night.

"The accused before court will deny the assertion... that he had had discussions with you over whether he would do the job and the amount paid," the lawyer said.

He would also deny receiving a call from Qwabe the next day to meet him and shuttle driver Zola Tongo, to discuss the hit.

"The accused... would say you called him and enquired from him if he can get buyers for a cellphone you were selling," Dayimani asked.

Dewani was shot dead in an apparent hijacking in Cape Town on November 132010, while on honeymoon with her husband Shrien.