South Africa honeymoon murder: driver charged with murder and kidnap
The driver of the Cape Town shuttle taxi hired by British honeymooners Shrien and Anni Dewani has been charged helping to kidnap the couple and murder her.
Anni and Shrien Dewani shared a 'fairytale' wedding before they were attacked during a taxi ride through a township near Cape Town on their honeymoon Photo: PA
Zola Tongo, 31, appeared in court this morning together with one other man, 25-year-old Mziwamadoda Qwabe. Both are charged with murder, aggravated robbery and hijacking, along with Xolile Mngeni, 23, who appeared in court last week.
Prosecutors disclosed Mr Tongo is ready to turn state witness and promised to reveal all he knows about how Mrs Dewani, 28, was killed in return for a suspended sentence.
It has been suggested that her death may have been organised as a "planned hit" rather than a random carjacking, and police have promised an "explosive revelation" about the case in the coming days.
Local media claim that police believe Mr Tongo made a phone call to a friend as he drove Mr and Mrs Dewani back to their Cape Town hotel from dinner out of town on Saturday November 13.
According to Mr Dewani, his wife said she had wanted to see the "real Africa" and they asked him to detour via the township of Guguletu.
Mr Tongo allegedly called his friend to tell him what the couple were planning and where in the township they were planning to go.
The couple were ambushed by two armed men as they stopped at a junction and Mr Tongo was forced out of the car. Mr Dewani said a gun was placed to his head and he was pushed out of a window around half an hour later.
Swedish-born Mrs Dewani's body was found some seven hours later on the back seat of the abandoned car. She had been shot in the neck.
Shrien Dewani, 30, a businessman from Bristol, said he had booked Mr Tongo through his secretary and he had met them at the city's airport before taking them to their waterfront hotel, The Cape Grace, then later to dinner.
Mr Tongo previously insisted he was not involved.
"This is a very bad situation and I am in fear of my life. I did not do it. I have done nothing wrong," he was quoted as saying.
Prosecutor Rodney de Kock told the court that Mr Tongo, who is a South African from Cape Town, is likely to enter into a "plea bargain".
"Discussions are taking place as to any admissions the accused number three (Tongo) may wish to make," Mr De Kock told the Wynberg Magistrates' Court in Cape Town.
"Should these discussions be successful, then accused number three will enter into a plea bargain with the State."
All three men who have been arrested in connection with the attack are being held in police custody and will appear in court again next Monday.
The latest development comes as Shrien Dewani reportedly prepares to return to Cape Town to identify his attackers.
South Africa's chief of police General Bheki Cele previously said that neither Mr Dewani, nor Mr Tongo, were suspects in the case.
The couple were ambushed by two armed men as they stopped at a junction and Mr Tongo was forced out of the car. Mr Dewani said a gun was placed to his head and he was pushed out of a window around half an hour later.
Swedish-born Mrs Dewani's body was found some seven hours later on the back seat of the abandoned car. She had been shot in the neck.
Shrien Dewani, 30, a businessman from Bristol, said he had booked Mr Tongo through his secretary and he had met them at the city's airport before taking them to their waterfront hotel, The Cape Grace, then later to dinner.
Mr Tongo previously insisted he was not involved.
"This is a very bad situation and I am in fear of my life. I did not do it. I have done nothing wrong," he was quoted as saying.
Prosecutor Rodney de Kock told the court that Mr Tongo, who is a South African from Cape Town, is likely to enter into a "plea bargain".
"Discussions are taking place as to any admissions the accused number three (Tongo) may wish to make," Mr De Kock told the Wynberg Magistrates' Court in Cape Town.
"Should these discussions be successful, then accused number three will enter into a plea bargain with the State."
All three men who have been arrested in connection with the attack are being held in police custody and will appear in court again next Monday.
The latest development comes as Shrien Dewani reportedly prepares to return to Cape Town to identify his attackers.
South Africa's chief of police General Bheki Cele previously said that neither Mr Dewani, nor Mr Tongo, were suspects in the case.
