Dewani’s murder ‘a grave betrayal’ of vows

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 Mar 27, 2014

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Cape Town - Anni Dewani’s murder was “a grave betrayal” of her marriage vows - this is what the State said when sentencing one of her killers.

Mziwamadoda Qwabe, who became the second person in the case to be sentenced after entering into a plea agreement in August 2012, will probably be called as a State witness when Shrien Dewani goes on trial.

Qwabe, who, according to court papers, is willing to testify in further matters relating to the case, drove the car in which Anni was murdered in Khayelitsha on November 13, 2010.

He admitted that he had participated in simulating a hijacking in order to have Anni killed – a crime he says he committed on orders from her husband.

This week the Justice Department announced that Dewani, after nearly 42 months of trying to avoid extradition from the UK, would arrive here on April 8 to stand trial for Anni’s murder.

Aggravating factors taken into consideration in sentencing him included that he had agreed on the killing “for monetary reward”.

“The accused, for venal monetary gain, made common cause with the deceased’s husband to murder his bride of mere weeks, under circumstances that her murder was a grave betrayal of his recent marriage vows,” reads Qwabe’s plea and sentencing agreement.

Qwabe was sentenced to 25 years in jail.

”Zola told me that he will bring a couple into the township and that the husband wanted the wife killed,” Qwabe said.

He and the third accused in the case, Xolile Mngeni, hijacked the vehicle Tongo was driving the Dewanis in.

Qwabe said Dewani and Anni were robbed, then Dewani and Tongo were ordered out the vehicle at a further point. Neither had been harmed.

Qwabe said while driving, Mngeni had then shot Anni.

Tongo, the first accused in the case to be convicted after entering into a plea agreement, is also likely to be called as a State witness if Dewani goes on trial.

In court documents Tongo said Anni had been murdered on orders from Dewani, who had offered to pay R15 000 for the hit.

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