Anni Dewani and Shrien Dewani
One of the men accused of murdering Bristol bride Anni Dewani on her honeymoon in South Africa has claimed the hijacking which led to her death was staged.
Mziwamadoda Qwabe’s claim was revealed in a statement which has been released by police at a bail hearing.
Mrs Dewani, 28, originally from Sweden, was found dead in Cape Town in November after being kidnapped with her husband. Shrien Dewani, 31, from Westbury-on-Trym, has been accused of hiring a hit man to kill his wife, but denies any involvement.
Mr Qwabe, 25, has claimed he made the statement after he was assaulted. In his statement, he said he had agreed to take part in a staged hijacking and robbery.
Mr Qwabe’s statement said he and Mr Mngeni drove off but stopped to let Mr Dewani out of the car and carried on.
Investigating officer Captain Paul Hendrikse said in the document: “[Qwabe said] that while he was driving he heard a single shot. That he got scared and nervous and parked the vehicle at the side of the road in Litha Park.
“That he got out and saw Mngeni looking for the bullet and that he [Qwabe] found the casing and threw it in a drain while they were running away; and that Mngeni brought the firearm to him the following day.”
Mr Qwabe and Mr Mnguni, 23, are charged with murder, kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances. They are due to appear before Wynberg Regional Court on 25 February. A full trial at Western Cape High Court is due to begin at a later date.
South African authorities are trying to extradite Mr Dewani to answer questions about the murder of his bride. The sister of Anni Dewani last week said that if her brother-in-law is innocent he should have no problem returning to South Africa to face a court.
Ami Denborg urged Mr Dewani to explain the “truth” about what happened. “If he (Mr Dewani) hasn’t done it, if he’s innocent, then he should go back and identify the killers and tell us what happened in the court,” she said.
“Please tell us the truth of what happened and clear your name in court in South Africa.”
My prayers are with the Hindocha family – they lost their daughter. Mr Dewani through his celebrity publicist behaves as if he is the only one affected by this tragedy. The Hindochas are grieving the loss of their daughter and they deserve justice and closure. Mr Dewani and his spin doctor should stop the public relations campaigns and Mr Dewani, as an innocent man, should go to SAfrica and clear this up as soon possible. The longer he takes, the more suspect he looks!
If you lived in south africa or even zimbabwe you will know that this is a daily act of crime. I just do not buy to the fact that the driver did not just run off with the money which was in the car when the couple dinned at the restaurant. Also to have all this arranged in a matter of a day for a sum of money less than that of the car owned by the driver himself is not possible. There is no motive for this young man to commit such a deed and they both do look happy regardless of the press reports. I lived in Z for a long time and saw many female friends and family being shot and raped for a few quid. Worst is the police never even once took action or allowed the press to report this internationally. This couple just happened to make headlines globally and the south africans will do everything to cover it up. They are ready to listed to a confessed murderer and a murderer awaiting a trial as their main witnesses. Seriously let this man speak up here rather than in a nation where rape has been conducted by the president.
Mr Dewani is doing everything possible to avoid due legal process. If he is innocent then he has nothing to fear and should welcome the opportunity to go to South Africa and assist the police in the prosecution and conviction of the people who have been arrested, at the very least. Unfortunately it appears that he really couldn't care less about whether the actual perpetrators have been arrested. What sort of grieving husband doesn't even attend the initial identity parade? What sort of grieving husband hires a PR long before he was named as a suspect?
The fragile Mr Dewani should get well soon and go to SA to clear his name. He doesn't need a spin doctor – he needs to tell the truth! He has a formidable legal team. The Hindocha family have lost their daughter and they are craving justice and closure. This young man must forget about Max Clifford – only th truth will set him free.
He didn't do it – I look in those eyes and i see the soul and now, that soul needs support and love to get him through, before he is destroyd also, a living death.
My compassion and prayers you Mr Dewani x