SOUTH AFRICA: State prosecutor has accused British businessman Shrien Dewani of planning the murder of his wife during their honeymoon

Record ID: 452864

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: State prosecutor has accused British businessman Shrien Dewani of planning the murder of his wife during their honeymoon
  • Date: 8th December 2010
  • Summary: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (DECEMBER 7, 2010), (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF THE CAPE TOWN HIGH COURT HIGH COURT SIGN ON WALL SOUTH AFRICAN FLAG MORE EXTERIORS OF THE COURT INTERIOR OF THE COURT ROOM WITH JUDGE SEATED VARIOUS OF SUSPECT ZOLA NTONGO TRYING TO HIDE HIS FACE FROM THE MEDIA JUDGE HLOPHE SEATED VARIOUS OF VINOD HINDOCHA, FATHER OF MURDERED ANNI DEWANI SEATED PICTURE OF ANNI DEWANI ON THE TABLE NEXT TO HINDOCHA NTONGO STANDING IN THE DOCK AUDIO OF THE READING OF HIS SENTENCE, SAYING NTONGO RECEIVED AN 18-YEAR JAIL TERM EVERYONE STANDING UP IN COURT NTONGO BEING LED DOWN TO THE CELLS DEWANI FATHER LEAVING COURT IN TEARS VICTIM'S FATHER OUTSIDE COURT SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) VINOD HINDOCHA, FATHER OF ANNI DEWANI, SAYING: "I would like to say thank to the South African people for the support and thank you for the whole world for the condolence messages to our family through email, through Facebook, personal visits and I hope... I have nothing more to say. I thank you, thank you all." CAR CONTAINING VICTIM'S FATHER DRIVING OFF
  • Embargoed: 23rd December 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa, South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Reuters ID: LVA1HS8IMXBO8OPDBC5LK0L9X1QR
  • Story Text: South African state prosecutor Rodney de Kock told the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday (December 7) that taxi driver Zola Tongo, convicted of the murder of newly-wed Anni Dewani, was allegedly offered 15,000 rand ($2,165 US dollars) by her husband to kill him.
    De Kock told the court British-based businessman Shrien Dewani plotted to kill his 28-year-old wife of two weeks, a Swedish national.
    Anni Dewani was murdered "at the insistence of her husband," de Kock said in reading out a plea bargain agreement in which Tongo pleaded guilty to murder. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
    Anni's father, Vinod Hindocha, clutching a photograph of his daughter, left the court in tears after the verdict.
    Speaking to journalists, Vinod Hindocha expressed his gratitude to South Africans who offered the family support and kindness after Anni's death.
    "I would like to say thank to the South African people for the support and thank you for the whole world for the condolence messages to our family through email, through Facebook, personal visits and I hope... I have nothing more to say. I thank you, thank you all."
    Wealthy businessman Dewani, who returned to Britain soon after the murder on November 13, was not immediately available to comment on the accusation by the prosecutor.
    The court heard that the victim's husband approached Tongo shortly after arriving in South Africa and helped mastermind the murder.
    Anni Dewani was found dead after she and her husband were carjacked in Gugulethu township -- a high crime area about 20 kilometres (15 miles) from Cape Town's city centre. She died of a single gunshot wound to the neck.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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