South African police say they have 'motive' for Anni Dewani murder
South African Police claim they have now established a motive for Shrien Dewani to have his wife killed during their honeymoon in Cape Town.
Anni Dewani (left) and Shrien Dewani Photo: GEOFF PUGH
The Police Commissioner, Bheki Cele, said detectives knew why Mrs Dewani, 28, had been killed and planned to disclose the details at an extradition hearing in London on Thursday.
Shrien Dewani has been accused of hiring hitmen to murder his wife for £1,400, a charge he denies.
The disclosure by Mr Cele appeared to be aimed at persuading Mr Dewani to return to South Africa voluntarily to face his accusers. Mr Cele refused to give details of the alleged motive but said: "It might come out on Thursday as we’ll be having this hearing and if it needs to come out there it will be fine," he said.
Explaining Mr Cele’s comments, a police spokesman added: "If Mr Dewani comes forward and agrees to come to South Africa, this will no longer be necessary."
McIntosh Polela, a spokesman for the police unit running the investigation, said the Senior Investigating Officer on the case, Lt-Col Mike Barkhuizen, had gathered further "good leads" since arriving in London last week.
"We are confident we have everything we need for the extradition hearing on Thursday." he said
A close friend of the Bristol-based businessman has suggested he might be willing to return on certain conditions, including that he be given bail up to the point of final appeal, if one is needed.
Hasmukh Velji Shah, speaking with the backing of the Dewani family on the BBC’s Inside Out West programme, said that if Shrien could remain at liberty, he was "confident" he would be cleared by a South African judge.
"It is for Shrien’s legal team and the South African authorities discuss this and agree a mutually agreed programme," he added.
Mr Dewani claims he and his 28-year-old wife were carjacked by two unknown men as their taxi driver drove them through Gugulethu township after dinner on Nov 13 last year.
He and Zola Tongo, the driver, were forced out of the car unharmed but Mrs Dewani was found shot dead in the back of the car the following morning.
Tongo turned state witness and, in return for a reduced sentence, alleged that Mr Dewani paid £1,400 for his wife to be killed.
Until now, the only evidence police have revealed is Tongo’s statement and details of CCTV footage allegedly showing Mr Dewani handing a bag of money to Tongo three days after the killing.
If he does not agree to return, police said they were confident he would be extradited.
A close friend of the Bristol-based businessman has suggested he might be willing to return on certain conditions, including that he be given bail up to the point of final appeal, if one is needed.
Hasmukh Velji Shah, speaking with the backing of the Dewani family on the BBC’s Inside Out West programme, said that if Shrien could remain at liberty, he was "confident" he would be cleared by a South African judge.
"It is for Shrien’s legal team and the South African authorities discuss this and agree a mutually agreed programme," he added.
Mr Dewani claims he and his 28-year-old wife were carjacked by two unknown men as their taxi driver drove them through Gugulethu township after dinner on Nov 13 last year.
He and Zola Tongo, the driver, were forced out of the car unharmed but Mrs Dewani was found shot dead in the back of the car the following morning.
Tongo turned state witness and, in return for a reduced sentence, alleged that Mr Dewani paid £1,400 for his wife to be killed.
Until now, the only evidence police have revealed is Tongo’s statement and details of CCTV footage allegedly showing Mr Dewani handing a bag of money to Tongo three days after the killing.
If he does not agree to return, police said they were confident he would be extradited.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/8266891/South-African-police-say-they-have-motive-for-Anni-Dewani-murder.html
