Hotel receptionist 'played bigger role' in Dewani murder: defence

05 November 2014 - 11:26 By PHILANI NOMBEMBE
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Shrien Dewani arrives at the Western Cape High Court on October 30, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. File photo
Shrien Dewani arrives at the Western Cape High Court on October 30, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. File photo
Image: Gallo Images / Foto24 / Nasief Manie

Monde Mbolombo is the man who got off scot-free for his role in orchestrating Anni Dewani's murder.

But  yesterday it emerged in the Cape Town High Court, that he might have misled authorities to secure immunity from prosecution.

Shrien Dewani is on trial for Anni's murder. To date three other men, including shuttle operator Zola Tongo and hit men Xolile Mngeni and Mziwamadoda Qwabe, have been convicted.

Mbolombo , who testified in Mngeni's 2012 trial, admitted to organising the killing from his employer’s premises.

Judge Robert Hennie, who presided over Mngeni’s trial, warmed Mbolombo about lying to court before granting him indemnity from prosecution. It was always believed that he was merely a link between Tongo and the hit men.

But in a new affidavit he deposed on September 26, Mbolombo admits to have not “been entirely open” about his involvement in the crime. Mbolombo said he only realised this during various consultations with prosecutors in the run up to Dewani’s trial.

“During these consultations I was shown certain video footage that had been secured by the investigation staff,” said Mbolombo.

“This video footage was footage from the Protea Hotel Century City, where I was employed at the time of the incident. On viewing this footage it was clear that I had not been entirely open about my full involvement in this crime. I was then asked by Captain [Paul] Hendrikse if I was prepared to make a full disclosure about involvement, which I agreed to do.”

The footage was also shown in court. A smartly dressed Mbolombo is seen juggling phones at the hotel’s reception area and is heard instructing hit man Qwabe about the crime. 

Dewani’s counsel, advocated Francios van Zyl, SC, used the document yesterday, among other things, to poke holes into the state’s case.

Van Zyl cross-examined Tongo, who turned state witness in exchange for testifying against Dewani. Tongo, who drove Dewani and Anni during their honeymoon in Cape Town in November 2010, claims that the UK businessman asked him to find hitmen to kill his wife. He said Dewani was willing to pay R15 000 for the hit. Tongo also said he contacted Mbolombo who linked him up with Qwabe and Mngeni.

“I put it to you Mr Tongo, that Mr Mbolombo was not just a link as you want the court to believe. He played a big role,” said Van Zyl.

He told Tongo that Dewani denied orchestrating his wife’s death.

“That is an issue for him and his God,” Tongo fired back. “The truth will come out one day.”

The trial continues.

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