S African gunman found guilty of Dewani murder

A South African judge on Monday found Xolile Mngeni guilty of killing newly-wed Anni Dewani while she was on her honeymoon in Cape Town two years ago. "I'm satisfied that the accused has committed the crime of murder," Judge Robert Henney told the High Court. Dewani, a Swede of Indian origin, had been married for just two weeks when she was killed in November 2010. Henney told the High Court that Mngeni had plotted with two co-accused to carry out the premeditated murder for 15,000 rand ($1,700). Henney convicted the 25-year-old of firing the shot that killed Dewani, robbery with aggravating circumstances and illegal possession of a firearm. Mngeni's defence was dismissed as "riddled with improbabilities, inconsistencies and untruths". Dewani's husband Shrien Dewani has been implicated in the murder, but claims his innocence and is fighting extradition to South Africa. The judge did not rule on Shrien's alleged culpability, focusing on the role of Mngeni. Dewani was killed by a single gunshot while travelling in the back of the car with her British husband. Two local men already jailed over the killing have blamed Shrien for masterminding a paid hit on his wife. Mngeni had pleaded not guilty to killing the bride, but admitted that his palm print was on the car in which Dewani's lifeless body was found in a poor Cape Town township. The Swedish tourist was found with her hands tucked under her chin, on her right side on the back seat of the car belonging to taxi driver Zola Tongo, who is serving 18 years for his role in her death. Mngeni had denied having multiple phone calls with co-accused Mziwamadoda Qwabe -- who was jailed for 25 years after entering a plea bargain -- on the night Dewani's body was found.