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

    Video shows beheading of American journalist James Foley by Islamic militants:US officials

    Video shows beheading of American journalist James Foley by Islamic militants:US officials
    WASHINGTON - A grisly video shows Islamic State militants beheading American journalist James Foley, U.S. officials said, in what the extremists called retribution for recent...

    Video shows beheading of American journalist James Foley by Islamic militants:US officials

    Timeline: Events which followed shooting of Michael Brown in St. Louis suburb of Ferguson

    Timeline: Events which followed shooting of Michael Brown in St. Louis suburb of Ferguson
    FERGUSON, Mo. - A timeline of key events following the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri....

    Timeline: Events which followed shooting of Michael Brown in St. Louis suburb of Ferguson

    Jackie Chan says he's ashamed over son's drug arrest, apologizes to public

    Jackie Chan says he's ashamed over son's drug arrest, apologizes to public
    BEIJING, China - Action star Jackie Chan says he's ashamed and saddened over his son's arrest on drug charges and has apologized to the public....

    Jackie Chan says he's ashamed over son's drug arrest, apologizes to public

    US looks forward to welcoming Modi

    US looks forward to welcoming Modi
    The US has reiterated that it looks forward to welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite an online petition seeking cancellation of his visit....

    US looks forward to welcoming Modi

    Cleric asks supporters to lay siege to Pakistani parliament

    Cleric asks supporters to lay siege to Pakistani parliament
    A religious leader leading anti-government protesters in Pakistan's capital city Wednesday ordered them to lay siege to parliament, even as he called for...

    Cleric asks supporters to lay siege to Pakistani parliament

    111-year-old Japanese retired educator who enjoys poetry recognized as the world's oldest man

    111-year-old Japanese retired educator who enjoys poetry recognized as the world's oldest man
    TOKYO - A 111-year-old retired Japanese educator who enjoys poetry has been recognized as the world's oldest living man....

    111-year-old Japanese retired educator who enjoys poetry recognized as the world's oldest man