Close X
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
ADVT 
International

Freed Of Murder Charge, British-indian Businessman Shrien Dewani To Return Home

IANS, 09 Dec, 2014 12:48 PM
    An Indian-origin businessman from Britain, Shrien Dewani is preparing to leave South Africa after a judge cleared him of arranging the murder of his wife on their honeymoon, media reported Tuesday.
     
    Dewani, 33, was accused of ordering the murder of his wife, 28-year-old Anni Dewani, who was shot on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010 during the course of their honeymoon, BBC reported.
     
    On Monday, Deputy Judge President Jeanette Traverso of the Western Cape High Court dismissed the case against him, after describing evidence from prosecution witnesses as "riddled with contradictions".
     
    Anni's family said they were heartbroken that the case was dismissed before Dewani testified.
     
    "We feel as a family that the justice system has failed us and we are deeply disappointed," Anni's sister Ami Denborg said.
     
    "We came here looking for answers and we came here looking for the truth, and all we got was more questions."
     
    "We would have preferred to have known about his secret sex life with male prostitutes and the activities he engaged in before he married Anni," Denborg said referring to Dewani's admission in court that he was bi-sexual.
     
    Judge Traverso said claims by the chief prosecution witness, cab driver Zola Tongo, about the murder were "riddled with contradictions", "highly debatable" and the evidence from the prosecution was "far below" the required threshold.
     
    Three men - Tongo, Mziwamadoda Qwabe and gunman Xolile Mngeni - have already been convicted for their part in the murder, which happened during a late-night tour of a township when their chauffeur-driven car was hijacked.
     
    Dewani was in South Africa as he was extradited from Britain in April to stand trial for Anni's murder.
     
    He faced five counts, including kidnapping, murder, and defeating the ends of justice, and has pleaded not guilty to all of them.
     
    He has maintained that he and his wife were the victims of a hijacking Nov 13, 2010.
     
    Dewani was thrown out of the car later that night and Anni's body was found the next day with a single gun shot wound on her neck.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Islamic State militants seize Iraq's largest dam near Mosul, Kurdish troops withdraw

    Islamic State militants seize Iraq's largest dam near Mosul, Kurdish troops withdraw
      Sunni militants from the Islamic State group on Thursday seized Iraq's largest dam, placing them in control of enormous power and water resources and access to the river that runs through the heart of Baghdad.

    Islamic State militants seize Iraq's largest dam near Mosul, Kurdish troops withdraw

    Hamas tells Gaza rally war is not over until its demands are met, rockets trained at Tel Aviv

    Hamas tells Gaza rally war is not over until its demands are met, rockets trained at Tel Aviv
    Hamas held on Thursday its first public rally since a cease-fire with Israel, with an official vowing the militant group would never give up its arms and will continue to fight until the Gaza Strip blockade is lifted.

    Hamas tells Gaza rally war is not over until its demands are met, rockets trained at Tel Aviv

    The ultimate comeback: 40 years after resigning, Nixon lives! (At least on Twitter)

    The ultimate comeback: 40 years after resigning, Nixon lives! (At least on Twitter)
    If you believe the media reports, Richard Nixon suffered a stroke in 1994 and died days later at age 81. He is buried in his native Yorba Linda, California, silent as the country marks the 40th anniversary of his resignation.

    The ultimate comeback: 40 years after resigning, Nixon lives! (At least on Twitter)

    Islamic State onslaught makes Christians flee, Pope concerned

    Islamic State onslaught makes Christians flee, Pope concerned
    Thousands of Christian families Thursday fled their homes in northern Iraq after militants of the Islamic State (IS) Sunni insurgent group seized several...

    Islamic State onslaught makes Christians flee, Pope concerned

    Russia grants Edward Snowden extended asylum

    Russia grants Edward Snowden extended asylum
    Fugitive US intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden has been given residence permit for three years in Russia, his lawyer said Thursday....

    Russia grants Edward Snowden extended asylum

    Iran, US hold nuclear talks

    Iran, US hold nuclear talks
    Senior Iranian and US officials Thursday met in Geneva to continue negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme....

    Iran, US hold nuclear talks