Dewani charged on five counts

Murder victim Anni Dewani, 28, who was attacked and killed whilst on holiday in Cape Town with her husband Shrien Dewani.

Murder victim Anni Dewani, 28, who was attacked and killed whilst on holiday in Cape Town with her husband Shrien Dewani.

Published Apr 8, 2014

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Cape Town - British millionaire and honeymoon murder-accused Shrien Dewani has been charged on five counts, including the murder of his wife.

According to the indictment handed to the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday, he is charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice.

Dewani has not yet been asked to plead.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Dewani was charged in a jail cell.

"He was processed and charged by the police in a holding cell," said NPA provincial spokesman Eric Ntabazalila.

National NPA spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said this procedure was possible.

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.

Dewani has denied any part in the murder.

The State has accused Dewani of unlawfully and intentionally conspiring with Zola Tonga, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, and Xolile Mngeni by entering into an agreement with Tonga.

The alleged agreement was that Tonga would procure the services of a person or persons to fake a hijacking of Tonga's vehicle, fake a kidnapping and robbery, and effect the kidnapping, robbery, and murder.

In return, the State alleges Dewani would provide payment to the perpetrators. Tonga and Qwabe are already serving jail terms for the murder, while Mngeni was also convicted and jailed for life.

Sapa

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