Dewani arrives at court

Honeymoon murder accused Shrien Dewani. Photographs of Dewani during his first court appearance in SA were prohibited. File picture: Matt Dunham/AP

Honeymoon murder accused Shrien Dewani. Photographs of Dewani during his first court appearance in SA were prohibited. File picture: Matt Dunham/AP

Published Apr 8, 2014

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Cape Town - Murder-accused Shrien Dewani arrived at the Western Cape High Court at around 11.20am on Tuesday in a police convoy.

Marked and unmarked cars drove through a side gate of the court.

Dewani was in one of the vehicles but he could not be seen through the tinted windows.

Photographers were kept at a distance from the side entrance as it was cordoned off with police tape.

Curious onlookers also missed capturing a picture of Dewani with their cellphones.

Dewani landed at Cape Town International Airport earlier on Tuesday on a private aircraft.

When he appears in court he is expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Dewani claimed he and his wife Anni were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu in Cape Town in a taxi in November 2010.

The couple had been on honeymoon in the country. He was released unharmed, but his wife's body was found in the abandoned car the next day. She had been shot dead.

Xolile Mngeni was convicted of the murder and jailed for life.

Prosecutors allege Dewani hired him to kill his wife. Two other alleged accomplices are also already serving jail terms in connection with the crime. Dewani has denied any part in the murder.

Earlier on Tuesday, the ANC Women's League said it wanted to ensure a fair trial against Dewani.

ANCWL members gathered at the court in support of Anni's family.

“We want the family of Anni (Dewani) to be happy about the outcome of the trial. We want a fair trial. We support particularly the family of Anni,” said Bulelwa Tinto, a member of the league's provincial task team.

“We've been following this case since it happened and we want to make sure due processes are followed… The court will do their processes and we don't want to hinder that.”

Tinto said six minibus taxis carrying around 60 to 90 more members would be arriving at court.

The league's Gugulethu chairwoman Zukiswa Malima said they were against people who harmed women.

“We are against people killing women and children.”

The league members sang and danced outside the court.

Some held up pictures of Anni. Others held posters which read “Justice for Anni” and “Respect women tourists too!” - Sapa

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