Husband: I fear being suspected in South Africa murder of my wife

Dan Newling12 April 2012

The British businessman whose bride was murdered on honeymoon in South Africa says he fears he may be unfairly implicated in the crime.

A family source close to Shrien Dewani said local police were under pressure to pin the killing of wife Anni on someone other than a South African.

The source told the Standard: "The fear is police are looking for a hook to hang this on to protect tourism ... If they can muddy the waters with allegations it was something more than a robbery, that works for them. The authorities are concerned about the country's reputation."

Mr Dewani flew to Britain from Cape Town last Wednesday. South African police said he would return "soon" to identify his assailants. But today Mr Dewani's representative Max Clifford and Johannesburg lawyer Billy Gundelfinger could not say when he would travel.

Mr Gundelfinger said: "Mr Dewani has nothing to hide." He refused to comment further as the case was under investigation.

Mr Dewani, 30, and Anni, 28, were in a taxi in a township near Cape Town when gunmen hijacked them on November 13.

They had taken an evening taxi tour, visiting tourist destinations such as Table Mountain and the city's waterfront, and ate dinner at a seafront restaurant 30 miles out of the city centre.

But, according to Mr Dewani, at 10.15pm on their way back to central Cape Town, their driver took them through the township of Gugulethu so they could experience a flavour of "the real Africa".

Within three minutes of leaving the motorway, two gunmen hijacked the taxi with the couple still inside. Mr Dewani says he was forced from the car. His bride was found shot dead the next day. Three South Africans have been charged.

South African media have reported detectives' alleged concerns about Mr Dewani's role in the attack. They have reported that police are "puzzled" to know how the 30-year-old managed to escape with no visible scars.

Police say the inquiry continues, and "as it unfolds detectives will determine if there are any other suspects involved".

Mr Dewani told the Sun newspaper: "Saying I was somehow involved simply defies logic. I'd searched high and low for my perfect partner. Anni was the one.

"Anni wasn't on any life insurance policies and we hadn't even made a will. I had no motive — financial or otherwise. I loved her and still love her."

Mr Gundelfinger said today: "This was quite simply a criminal act to rob the Dewanis. Nothing more. Any insinuation that he was involved is absolutely scurrilous.

"I spent the whole of Monday with Mr Dewani in the UK and I can tell you that he is absolutely devastated. He broke down twice during our conversation."

The lawyer refused to discuss the matter further as he said the case was under investigation.

Three suspects — Zola Tongo, 31, Xolile Mngeni, 23, and Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 25 — have been charged with murder, kidnapping and aggravated robbery.

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