'Honeymoon hitman' dies in South African prison

One of the men convicted of killing newlywed Anni Dewani has died in a prison in Cape Town, a South African official has confirmed. Xolile Mngeni, who was branded “merciless and evil” by a judge during his sentencing, was jailed for life for shooting Mrs Dewani while she was on honeymoon in Cape Town in 2010. The 27-year-old had been diagnosed with a rare brain tumour while awaiting trial four years ago and had surgery to remove it. The court had heard he would probably have only two to five years to live if the tumour returned.

He had no regard to her right to freedom, dignity, and totally disregarded and showed no respect to her right to life by brutally killing her with utter disdain.

Judge Robert Henney

Mngeni’s death comes 12 days after British businessman Shrien Dewani went on trial in South Africa accused of murdering his wife. The 34-year-old denies plotting to kill Mrs Dewani on their luxury getaway to Cape Town in November 2010, as they took a taxi ride through an impoverished area. The care home owner, from Weston-on-Trym near Bristol, is accused of paying three men to kill his Swedish-born wife, days after their lavish £200,000 wedding in Mumbai. Mngeni was convicted of shooting Mrs Dewani, while taxi driver Zola Tongo and Mziwamadoda Qwabe are also serving jail terms in connection with the murder.

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