Brain tumour could silence Dewani witness

Shrien Dewani's hopes of proving he was not involved in his wife Anni's killing were dealt a blow today after it was revealed that a key witness in the case against him may never give live evidence in court.

Alleged hitman Xolile Mngeni, 23, is recovering from an operation on a malignant brain tumour. According to a medical report submitted to a Cape Town court, Mngeni's "neurological function is poor".

The development harms the Briton's hopes because Mngeni, while claiming to have been told by a middleman that Dewani wanted her killed, admits he never met him. Dewani denies arranging the murder and is fighting extradition to South Africa.