A man on trial for the murder of honeymoon tourist Anni Dewani had not thought of telling anyone he had an alibi, the court heard.
|||Cape Town - A man on trial for the murder of honeymoon tourist Anni Dewani had not thought of telling anyone he had an alibi, the Western Cape High Court heard on Monday.
Xolile Mngeni, 25, told the court during cross-examination that he and his girlfriend visited her friend and boyfriend in T-Section, Khayelitsha on November 13, 2010.
They chatted into the early hours of Sunday morning and he slept at his girlfriend's house.
Asked why he had not told his lawyers he had three witnesses who could provide an alibi for that night, he said that until recently it had not occurred to him.
“I don't want to lie, but I did not even think about that... (until) this year.”
He said his brain tumour made him forget things.
“I had a headache and double vision (in 2011). That's when they took me for six operations on my head. Some things just flash and I recall it after.”
Mngeni has pleaded not guilty to hijacking, robbing and killing Dewani in Gugulethu on November 13, 2010.
He said when he was arrested, he was not given the chance to explain where he had been. He then found out about his tumour and was “whipped” out of Groote Schuur hospital in 2011 in a confused and sickly state, so he could appear in court.
“When Captain Hendrikse arrived, he personally discharged me, wrote a letter and arrived at Wynberg (Magistrate's) Court and he told the magistrate the doctor says I am fit.”
Mngeni said this was not the case and that the doctor had told him during a scan that he had not written any letter.
His cross-examination continues on Tuesday. - Sapa