Murder of Anni Dewani: Difference between revisions
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Anni Dewani's body was taken to the Cape Town hospital. Subject to a [[post mortem]], the examination found that Anni had died from a gunshot wound to the neck, but that she was not sexually assaulted. During this period, after being joined by members of his family, Sherien gave interviews to both the police and the press, where he commented that it was his wife's idea to visit the township and see the "real Africa". On the 17 November, Mrs Dewani's body was returned to the United Kingdom, accompanied by her husband. She was buried in Bristol in a traditional Hindu ceremony on the 21/22nd November.<ref name=TelgTimeline>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/8186264/South-Africa-murder-timeline.html|title=South Africa murder: timeline|publisher=The Telegraph|date=7 December 2010|accessdate=2011-01-20}}</ref> |
Anni Dewani's body was taken to the Cape Town hospital. Subject to a [[post mortem]], the examination found that Anni had died from a gunshot wound to the neck, but that she was not sexually assaulted. During this period, after being joined by members of his family, Sherien gave interviews to both the police and the press, where he commented that it was his wife's idea to visit the township and see the "real Africa". On the 17 November, Mrs Dewani's body was returned to the United Kingdom, accompanied by her husband. She was buried in Bristol in a traditional Hindu ceremony on the 21/22nd November.<ref name=TelgTimeline>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/8186264/South-Africa-murder-timeline.html|title=South Africa murder: timeline|publisher=The Telegraph|date=7 December 2010|accessdate=2011-01-20}}</ref> |
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On 17 November, the South African police arrest Xolile Mnguni and Mziwamadoda Qwabe, followed two days later by the arrest of taxi driver Zola Tongo. All three are charged with the murder of Anni Dewani on 20 November.<ref name=TelgTimeline/> On the same day, police begin briefing local South African media that the shooting was a "planned hit." They also ask Mr Dewani to return to South Africa, to attend an [[identity parade]].<ref name=TelgTimeline/> |
On 17 November, the South African police arrest Xolile Mnguni and Mziwamadoda Qwabe, followed two days later by the arrest of taxi driver Zola Tongo. All three are charged with aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and the murder of Anni Dewani, on 20 November.<ref name=TelgTimeline/> On the same day, police begin briefing local South African media that the shooting was a "planned hit." They also ask Mr Dewani to return to South Africa, to attend an [[identity parade]].<ref name=TelgTimeline/> |
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The day after his family hire [[Max Clifford]] as their press PR interface, Shirien Dewani issues a press stateent in which he says: "I searched high and low for my perfect partner … why would I want to kill her?" Within the statement, Shirien provides an adjusted account from previous media comments made on the ambush, that:<ref name=TelgTimeline/> |
The day after his family hire [[Max Clifford]] as their press PR interface, Shirien Dewani issues a press stateent in which he says: "I searched high and low for my perfect partner … why would I want to kill her?" Within the statement, Shirien provides an adjusted account from previous media comments made on the ambush, that:<ref name=TelgTimeline/> |
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On 25 November, Shirien's brother Preyen Dewani issues a statement saying his brother is afraid he will be wrongly blamed for the murder in order to save the reputation of South Africa, to protect tourism revenues.<ref name=TelgTimeline/> Max Clifford later comments that Shirien is heavily sedated and being watched by doctors, is not a suspect in the murder, and had not been asked to return to South Africa. South African prosecutors later confirm to local press that Shirien is not presently a suspect.<ref name=TelgTimeline/> |
On 25 November, Shirien's brother Preyen Dewani issues a statement saying his brother is afraid he will be wrongly blamed for the murder in order to save the reputation of South Africa, to protect tourism revenues.<ref name=TelgTimeline/> Max Clifford later comments that Shirien is heavily sedated and being watched by doctors, is not a suspect in the murder, and had not been asked to return to South Africa. South African prosecutors later confirm to local press that Shirien is not presently a suspect.<ref name=TelgTimeline/> |
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On December 3, Xolile Mnguni and Mziwamadoda Qwabe via their lawyers claimed that they were physically assaulted by police.<ref name=TelgTimeline/> On December 7, appearing in the [[Western Cape High Court]] under a plea bargain arrangement, Zola Tongo says that Anni Dewani was "murdered at the instance of her husband," after Shirien Dewani offered him £1,300 (15,000 Rand) to have his wife killed. Max Clifford in a press release to British media, on behalf of Shirien and the Dewani family, that the claims made by Tongo have "absolutely no substance."<ref name=TelgTimeline/> Outlining both the terms of Togo's plea bargain and the state's case, state prosecutor Rodney de Kock advised Judge President John Hlophe that: "The alleged hijacking was in fact not a hijacking, but part of a plan of subterfuge which Shrien Dewani, the husband of the deceased, and the accused had designed to conceal the true facts, to wit: that the deceased was murdered at the instance of her husband."<ref name=Telg8186101>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8186101/Honeymoon-murder-Shrien-Dewani-offered-1300-to-brides-killers-court-hears.html|title=Honeymoon murder: Shrien Dewani offered £1,300 to bride's killers, court hears|publisher=The Telegraph|date=10 December 2010|accessdate=2011-01-20}}</ref> De Kock confirmed that Tongo had taken the couple from Cape Town International Airport to the Cape Grace hotel on Friday November 12. After their arrival, Togo alleged that Shirien told Tongo to procure a hitman to have a woman killed for 15,000Rand:<ref name=Telg8186101/> |
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On December 3, Xolile Mnguni and Mziwamadoda Qwabe via their lawyers claim that they were physically assaulted by police.<ref name=TelgTimeline/> |
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{{cquote|After we arrived at the hotel, Shrien Dewani approached me alone and asked me if I knew anyone that could 'have a client of his taken off the scene'. After some discussion with him, I understood that he wanted someone, a woman, killed. He said he was willing to pay an amount of R15 000. Shrien Dewani said he had US dollars and could pay in US dollars. After contacting a friend, we agreed that Shrien Dewani and I would be ejected from the vehicle and that the female occupant had to be killed.}} |
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Togo then explained in his written statement that he had picked the couple up the following evening, and riven them to a meeting point with his friends. But as they were not their, Togo drve the couple to the restaurant, where he alleged that Shirien reminded him that the killing had to take place that evening. After the couple finished their meal, Togo drove the couple back to the meeting point, where his friends were waiting to hijack the taxi.<ref name=Telg8186101/> Tongo was subsequently jailed for 18 years, and is expected to give evidence in the trial of Mngeni and Qwabe in 2011. Max Clifford, on behalf of Shirien and the Dewani family, agiain repeated that the claims of Togo were "absolutely, 100 per cent ludicrous and deeply offensive."<ref name=Telg8186101/> |
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==Extradition of Shirien Dewani== |
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On December 7, appearing in court under a plea bargain arrangement, Zola Tongo says that Anni Dewani was "murdered at the instance of her husband," after Shirien Dewani offered him £1,300 (15,000 Rand) to have his wife killed. Max Clifford in a press release to British media, on behalf of Shirien and the Dewani family, that the claims made by Tongo have "absolutely no substance."<ref name=TelgTimeline/> |
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when they go on trial next year. |
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Revision as of 01:20, 21 January 2011
Anni Dewani | |
|---|---|
| Disappeared | 13 November 2010 (aged 28) Gugulethu, South Africa |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Known for | Murder victim |
| Partner | Shiren Dewani |
Anni Dewani was a Swedish-born ethnic Indian woman, who while on her honeymoon in South Africa, taking a taxi on a slum tourism trip through Gugulethu township near Cape Town on 13 November, 2010, was kidnapped and then murdered. Taxi driver Zola Tongo later admitted murder, and was sentenced on 7 December, 2010, to 18 years in jail. Tow further defendants, Xolile Mnguni, 23, and Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 25, face charges of murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping.
In his admission of guilt statement, Tongo alleged that Dewani's husband, British national Shrien Dewani of Bristol, had offered him a sum of US Dollars to murder his wife.[1] South African authorites are currently trying to extradite Shrien back to South Africa via the British legal system, while Shiren Dewani continues to claim innocence within the murder. Shiren Dewani's family described the allegations as "totally ludicrous."[2]
Background
Anni Dewani
The Hindoch family, Hindu's living in Uganda, were forced to leave the country in the early 1970's after ruler Idi Amin expelled them. Granted residence in Sweden, they settled in Mariestad, where their daughter Anni was born and raised. After training as an engineer, she joined Eriksson.[3]
Shiren Dewani
Shiren Dewani was born in Bristol, and raised at the family home in Westbury-on-Trym. Educated at Bristol Grammar School, he qualified as a chartered accountant with Deloitte, working in the City of London. In 2005 he resigned his position, to help run his families chain of PSP Healthcare old peoples homes.[4]
Marriage
Anni Hindocha visited her cousin Sneha in Luton in 2009, and met Shiren Dewani through mutual friends. They became engaged in June 2010, after which Anni moved to Bristol to help her fiancee run his families care home business. Under her maiden name, Anni entered Bristol's Top Model 2010 competition.[3]
The couple married at the Lake Pavani resort in outside Mumbai, India. 200 guests attended the traditional three day Indian marriage event.[5]
Murder
After landing at Cape Town International Airport, they took an internal flight, and stayed for four nights at the Kruger Park.[4] On the 11th November, the couple took a return flight, and were picked up from Cape Town International Airport, and driven by Zola Tongo to the five-star Cape Grace hotel.[6]
Shiren Dewni then commented that his wife had wanted to see the real Africa, an decided to traveled to Mzoli's BBQ restuarant, as recommended by chef Jamie Oliver in a television series. Located in the Gugulethu township, the couple were driven there by Zola Tongo in his VW Sharan taxi.
After their diner and while being driven around the township, Dewani then told the police and media in interview that the taxi had been stopped and hijacked by two armed men, who removed Zola Tongo. Now held at gun point, the couple were driven around the township, being told "We are not going to hurt you. We just want the car."[6] After between 20minutes and an hour, at a distance of 11 miles (18 km) from the original hijacking, Shiren Dewani was dumped out of the taxi.
After Shiren flaged down a passing car and contacted the police, a police helicopter spotted the Sharan abandoned 2 miles (3.2 km) away in the township of Khayelitsha.[5]
Early on the mrning of the 14th November, Anni Dewani was found dead inside the back of the VW Sharan. Severley beaten and brusied, she had suffered a single shot to her neck.
Investigation
Anni Dewani's body was taken to the Cape Town hospital. Subject to a post mortem, the examination found that Anni had died from a gunshot wound to the neck, but that she was not sexually assaulted. During this period, after being joined by members of his family, Sherien gave interviews to both the police and the press, where he commented that it was his wife's idea to visit the township and see the "real Africa". On the 17 November, Mrs Dewani's body was returned to the United Kingdom, accompanied by her husband. She was buried in Bristol in a traditional Hindu ceremony on the 21/22nd November.[2]
On 17 November, the South African police arrest Xolile Mnguni and Mziwamadoda Qwabe, followed two days later by the arrest of taxi driver Zola Tongo. All three are charged with aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and the murder of Anni Dewani, on 20 November.[2] On the same day, police begin briefing local South African media that the shooting was a "planned hit." They also ask Mr Dewani to return to South Africa, to attend an identity parade.[2]
The day after his family hire Max Clifford as their press PR interface, Shirien Dewani issues a press stateent in which he says: "I searched high and low for my perfect partner … why would I want to kill her?" Within the statement, Shirien provides an adjusted account from previous media comments made on the ambush, that:[2]
- The driver, not his wife, suggested the visit to the township
- He and his wife were held in the car for 40 minutes, not 20, before he was thrown out
Ashok Hindocha, the uncle of Anni's family, voices his concerns about the investigation, asking South African police to investigate the murder further. He then challenges Shirien to return to South Africa, commenting that South African police should not rule anyone out of the investigation.[2]
On 25 November, Shirien's brother Preyen Dewani issues a statement saying his brother is afraid he will be wrongly blamed for the murder in order to save the reputation of South Africa, to protect tourism revenues.[2] Max Clifford later comments that Shirien is heavily sedated and being watched by doctors, is not a suspect in the murder, and had not been asked to return to South Africa. South African prosecutors later confirm to local press that Shirien is not presently a suspect.[2]
On December 3, Xolile Mnguni and Mziwamadoda Qwabe via their lawyers claimed that they were physically assaulted by police.[2] On December 7, appearing in the Western Cape High Court under a plea bargain arrangement, Zola Tongo says that Anni Dewani was "murdered at the instance of her husband," after Shirien Dewani offered him £1,300 (15,000 Rand) to have his wife killed. Max Clifford in a press release to British media, on behalf of Shirien and the Dewani family, that the claims made by Tongo have "absolutely no substance."[2] Outlining both the terms of Togo's plea bargain and the state's case, state prosecutor Rodney de Kock advised Judge President John Hlophe that: "The alleged hijacking was in fact not a hijacking, but part of a plan of subterfuge which Shrien Dewani, the husband of the deceased, and the accused had designed to conceal the true facts, to wit: that the deceased was murdered at the instance of her husband."[7] De Kock confirmed that Tongo had taken the couple from Cape Town International Airport to the Cape Grace hotel on Friday November 12. After their arrival, Togo alleged that Shirien told Tongo to procure a hitman to have a woman killed for 15,000Rand:[7]
After we arrived at the hotel, Shrien Dewani approached me alone and asked me if I knew anyone that could 'have a client of his taken off the scene'. After some discussion with him, I understood that he wanted someone, a woman, killed. He said he was willing to pay an amount of R15 000. Shrien Dewani said he had US dollars and could pay in US dollars. After contacting a friend, we agreed that Shrien Dewani and I would be ejected from the vehicle and that the female occupant had to be killed.
Togo then explained in his written statement that he had picked the couple up the following evening, and riven them to a meeting point with his friends. But as they were not their, Togo drve the couple to the restaurant, where he alleged that Shirien reminded him that the killing had to take place that evening. After the couple finished their meal, Togo drove the couple back to the meeting point, where his friends were waiting to hijack the taxi.[7] Tongo was subsequently jailed for 18 years, and is expected to give evidence in the trial of Mngeni and Qwabe in 2011. Max Clifford, on behalf of Shirien and the Dewani family, agiain repeated that the claims of Togo were "absolutely, 100 per cent ludicrous and deeply offensive."[7]
Extradition of Shirien Dewani
when they go on trial next year.
, adding that he is heavily sedated and being watched by doctors.
November 26-27
Mr Clifford denies unfounded media suggestions that Mr Dewani is being considered as a possible suspect by police. Lawyers for two of the accused men claim Mr Dewani will attend an identity parade over the murder, but Mr Clifford repeats that his client has not been asked to return.
These comments start a period where the two families appear to have different
within Gugulethu, shot dead
was killed in the township of XXX.
The Murder of Anni Dewani
who went missing on 17 December 2010 in Bristol after an evening out with work colleagues. Her body was subsequently discovered on 25 December 2010 in Failand, North Somerset, and analysis showed she had died from strangulation. Her landlord was detained for questioning on 30 December, and released on bail two days later without charge.[5] A 32-year-old suspect was arrested on 20 January 2011, two days after a re-enactment of the circumstances of Yeates' disappearance was televised.[6]
References
- ^ "South Africa honeymoon death husband 'plotted murder'". BBC News. 7 December 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "South Africa murder: timeline". The Telegraph. 7 December 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-20.
- ^ a b "Honeymoon murder: Anni Dewani profile". The Telegraph. 7 December 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-20.
- ^ a b {[cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8186487/Honeymoon-murder-Shrien-Dewani-profile.html%7Ctitle=Honeymoon murder: Shrien Dewani profile|publisher=The Telegraph|date=7 December 2010|accessdate=2011-01-20}}
- ^ a b "Bride butchered on her honeymoon". The Sun. 15 November 2010.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help); Text "http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3227667/Bride-butchered-on-honeymoon-in-South-Africa.html" ignored (help) - ^ a b "Guman said "we aren't going to hurt you"... That was just a lie". The Sun. 16 November 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-20.
- ^ a b c d "Honeymoon murder: Shrien Dewani offered £1,300 to bride's killers, court hears". The Telegraph. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 2011-01-20.