‘Indian-origin bride’s murder suspect instructed by SA police to give statement against husband
By ANISaturday, February 19, 2011
CAPE TOWN - The lawyer of one of the accused in the murder case of the Indian-origin bride, Anni Dewani, in Cape Town, has claimed that the South African police had suggested to his client to give a statement against her Brit-Indian millionaire husband Shrien.
The South African police has been insisting that Sherien had masterminded the murder of his wife during their honeymoon in Cape Town last year. Dewani has denied all allegations against him.
The Daily Mail quoted Thabo Nogemane, the lawyer of Mziwamadoda Qwabe, who is accused of killing Anni during her honeymoon in Cape Town last year, as saying that police had beaten up his client before instructing him what he should say in his ‘confession’.
Nogemane also said that his client was beaten around the neck and back with a large metal torch by police, who told him that: ” ‘look there are people here who we have already arrested and they said it was you. Here is the story that was told to us.’ So in other words he was saying things that were suggested to him.’ “
On being asked if his client was suggested to hold Shrien responsible for the murder, Nogemane said: “Everything that you have heard was suggested to him. The whole story was suggested to him. They said to him: ‘look, don’t lie to us…. so and so made a statement saying everything so we already know you are involved’.”
Vusi Tshabalala, the lawyer of Xolile Mngeni who is another suspected killer of Anni, had insisted yesterday that his client had also been abused, adding: “In the process of interrogating him, police would physically assault him with fists and use a plastic bag to suffocate him. He was frightened.”
Tshabalala had further claimed that police had used “irregular methods” apparently because they were under pressure to solve such a high-profile case.
Four South Africans were earlier arrested in connection with Anni’s killing on November 13, including the taxi’s driver Zola Tongo, 31, and Qwabe, 25, who is alleged to be one of two gunmen. (ANI)
