Dewani ballistics fiasco

23 October 2014 - 02:29 By Nashira Davids and Philani Nombembe
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
BI-GUY: Shrien Dewani revealed shocking information about his sex life but also noted details of exchange-rate discrepancies when he exchanged money in Cape Town
BI-GUY: Shrien Dewani revealed shocking information about his sex life but also noted details of exchange-rate discrepancies when he exchanged money in Cape Town
Image: HALDEN KROG

Shrien Dewani's defence team has made a mockery of the state's ballistics expert.

Even Dewani, accused of murdering his wife Anni in 2010, could not suppress his glee as Warrant Officer Pieter Engelbrecht conceded in court he had made mistakes.

Despite conducting several tests, Engelbrecht could not say where in the car the shooter was positioned, or in which hand the gun was held.

At the heart of it all is who pulled the trigger.

Mziwamadoda Qwabe, a hitman who turned state witness, claimed Xolile Mngeni, who died in prison at the weekend, shot Anni.

Dewani's defence team disputed this, saying the barrel of the gun touched Anni's hand when she was in the back seat.

Mngeni, allegedly sitting in the front passenger seat, could not have reached her. His arms were measured and were too short.

After the defence raised these issues Engelbrecht conducted more tests.

He took measurements of the VW Sharan a fortnight ago.

"Does the vehicle presently have the same rear seats as it did when she was shot?" fired defence counsel Pieter Botha.

"I suspect the back seat was replaced," replied Engelbrecht.

He also re-enacted the crime, but did not use the same vehicle.

Engelbrecht measured Mngeni's arms the day before he died. He found that his arms were longer than what the defence claimed. But this is because they were measured from his armpits to the end of the fingers. He conceded that he should have measured to Mngeni's palm as he was holding a gun.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now