Close X
Saturday, September 28, 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

    US Inflicts Visa Restrictions and Property Ban Over Ukraine

    US Inflicts Visa Restrictions and Property Ban Over Ukraine
    Ukraine is catching much attention in world politics after the recent turmoil deepened in the country. Latest reports from the scene state that US is imposing visa restrictions and moving to freeze US assets of those involved in Russia's move on Ukraine.

    US Inflicts Visa Restrictions and Property Ban Over Ukraine

    An Indian hand in Saudi Arabia-Iran reconciliation?

    An Indian hand in Saudi Arabia-Iran reconciliation?
    Are regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia heading for a rapprochement? Is there an Indian hand in this? Talk on the possible development in the Gulf swirled in the diplomatic and strategic circles as India played host to Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia

    An Indian hand in Saudi Arabia-Iran reconciliation?

    'Saudi economy is dependent on Indian workers'

    'Saudi economy is dependent on Indian workers'
    On Saudi Arabia's new "Nitaqat" labour policy that saw some 140,000 Indian expatriates returning home, Almunajjed said only those working illegally were affected.

    'Saudi economy is dependent on Indian workers'

    US College Board announces SAT overhaul

    US College Board announces SAT overhaul
    Creators of the US college entrance examination SAT have announced an overhaul of the test, eliminating mandatory essays, ending penalty for guessing wrong and cutting obscure vocabulary words.

    US College Board announces SAT overhaul

    Ukraine denies 'money-for-missile shield' talks with US

    Ukraine denies 'money-for-missile shield' talks with US
    Ukraine is not holding any talks on the deployment of US missile defence units on its territory in exchange for financial support, Ukrainian Ambassador in Belarus capital Minsk Mikhail Yezhel said Wednesday.

    Ukraine denies 'money-for-missile shield' talks with US

    Curious case of Yuan's strength: Still a one-way bet?

    Curious case of Yuan's strength: Still a one-way bet?
    Over the past four years, the gradual appreciation of the Chinese Yuan against the US dollar was considered a one way bet by currency traders.

    Curious case of Yuan's strength: Still a one-way bet?