Dewani defence queries hotel man’s role
is included in a 10-minute documentary, (“I see you”), which was shown at the event.
The film, produced in Zulu with English subtitles, provides personal accounts from family members on how they dealt with their children’s eye conditions, how these conditions affected the families and how multiple obstacles were overcome – leading to surgery that eventually saved the sight of these children.
According to a research paper, “The miracle workers: obstacles and opportunities for restoring sight to children in KwaZulu-Natal”, which
PICTURE: WWW.ORBIS.ORG.ZA was undertaken at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, and partly at a hospital in Zambia, about 500 000 people of all ages in KZN are visually impaired, and the prevalence of childhood blindness in the province amounts to about 21 812. HE role of a middleman came under scrutiny in the Shrien Dewani trial yesterday, with the Western Cape High Court hearing that he played a “much bigger” part.
This came up during cross-examination of Mziwamadoda Qwabe – one of the men allegedly hired by Dewani to kill his wife, Anni – who testified for a second day.
Dewani’s defence counsel, Francois van Zyl SC, questioned Qwabe on the role “in this whole incident” of former hotel receptionist Monde Mbolombo, who turned State witness and was not prosecuted.
According to Qwabe, Mbolombo, a former co-worker of his, had merely been the link between him and taxi driver Zola Tongo.
The court heard, however, that there were several calls between Qwabe and Mbolombo on the day of Anni’s murder, November 13, 2010.
Mbolombo also deposed to an affidavit last month, telling more of the part he had played.
The court heard how Mbolombo acknowledged in the affidavit that he too was to attend a meeting between three men – Tongo, Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni – who were involved in Anni’s murder. The only reason he had not attended was because Tongo had been late in fetching him and he needed to get to work.
Van Zyl put it to Qwabe that Tongo was “much more than just a link” who put him and Tongo in contact.
Qwabe had called Mbolombo on the morning of November 13, 2010.
Mbolombo had also called him that evening, just after 6.30pm, as well as at about 8pm.
There had also been several attempts by Mbolombo to reach
TQwabe at about 9.30pm that night and another call at 9.50pm. “This is now the night of the hijacking,” said Van Zyl. “Why was he calling you and when you spoke, what did you discuss?”
Qwabe replied: “I don’t recall what was discussed, Sir. Monde was only the link between me and Tongo.”
Van Zyl said that “if one looks at the objective facts as reflected in the telephone records”, Mbolombo was not just a link but “clearly played a role in the events of that night”.
Qwabe maintained that Mbolombo’s role had been as the link.
Masterminding
“That’s what I know his involvement was,” he said.
British businessman Dewani stands accused of masterminding the murder of his wife in what was allegedly made to look like a hijacking gone wrong.
Qwabe, Tongo and Mngeni have already been convicted and jailed for their roles in the murder, with Qwabe and Tongo having struck plea bargains with the State.
In court yesterday, Dewani seemed more relaxed than when his trial began on Monday.
At one point, however, his expression contorted. He took deep breaths and took several sips of water.
The court adjourned briefly and was later told that Dewani had an “upset stomach”.
It also emerged in court that a piece of a pair of yellow kitchen gloves worn by Qwabe during the incident had tested positive for “primer residue” (gunshot residue).
Western Cape Deputy Judge President Jeanette Traverso then adjourned the trial, saying it would continue on Monday.
Sheepdog adopts lion cub
WOJCIECHOW: A lion cub who was abandoned at birth has been cuddling up to a shaggy-haired sheepdog and mother-of-five at a private zoo in Poland.
Parys was born last week at the small zoo. The owner Krzysztof Zerdzicki entrusted the cub to his pet dog Carmenwho has been taking care of him, licking him and nursing him. – Sapa-AFP
Double-X-rated
DOUBLE-X-rated language found its way into a parliamentary response yesterday.
Communications Minister Faith Muthambi revealed that the Film and Publication Board had given 12 films an “XX” rating over five years.
The single “X” rating applies to films referred to as pornographic, which may not be distributed or shown to persons under 18. The double-X line-up she listed included astonishingly lurid titles. – Sapa