Man jailed for 25 years over honeymoon killing

One of two men accused of being hired by UK newly-wed Shrien Dewani to kill his bride on their honeymoon in Cape Town has been jailed for 25 years after admitting murder.

Anni Dewani’s family reacted by saying they were “happy” but would not know the truth of “what really happened” to her until Mr Dewani faces trial.

Mrs Dewani, 28, was shot dead and her body found in an abandoned taxi in Cape Town’s impoverished Gugulethu township in November 2010.

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Her husband claims the vehicle was attacked by gunmen during a township tour, and he was ejected from the car and she was murdered after it was driven away.

South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority said yesterday that Mziwamadoda Qwabe also admitted kidnapping, robbery and the illegal possession of a firearm.

Xolile Mngeni still faces charges and the trial has been postponed several times due to his health – he has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Dewani remains in medical care awaiting a decision to extradite him to South Africa.

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He had been allowed to leave the country before a confession by taxi driver Zola Tongo, who claimed Dewani offered him 15,000 rand (about £1,200) to arrange the killing and make it look like a carjacking.

In a plea bargain to avoid a life sentence, Tongo pleaded guilty and was convicted of kidnapping, murder, aggravated robbery and obstructing justice.

He was sentenced to 18 years in prison, and is expected to give evidence at trial.

Dewani, from Bristol, is due at Westminster Magistrates’ Court next on September 18 when chief magistrate Howard Riddle will 
be given an update on his condition. He has post-traumatic stress disorder.

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