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Shrien Dewani trial: South Africa detectives still gathering evidence Shrien Dewani trial: South Africa detectives still gathering evidence
(about 3 hours later)
The South African detectives investigating the 2010 murder of Anni Dewani were still gathering evidence 10 days before her husband’s trial started earlier this month, Shrien Dewani’s trial heard on Thursday.The South African detectives investigating the 2010 murder of Anni Dewani were still gathering evidence 10 days before her husband’s trial started earlier this month, Shrien Dewani’s trial heard on Thursday.
Despite having had almost four years to investigate Anni’s November 2010 murder, detectives from South Africa’s elite Hawks detective unit took a new statement from a key prosecution witness on 26 September this year.Despite having had almost four years to investigate Anni’s November 2010 murder, detectives from South Africa’s elite Hawks detective unit took a new statement from a key prosecution witness on 26 September this year.
This statement – from the crime’s alleged “middle man” Monde Mbolombo – is the third statement this witness has given police, Shrien Dewani’s defence barrister Francois van Zyl this morning told his murder trial. This statement – from the crime’s alleged “middle man” Monde Mbolombo – is the third statement this witness has given police, Shrien Dewani’s defence barrister Francois van Zyl told his murder trial.
The trial has already been informed that Mbolombo – who cut an immunity deal with police by which, in return for his co-operation with police, he escaped all punishment – provided his first two witness statements in November 2010. The trial has already been informed that Mbolombo – who agreed an immunity deal with police by which in return he escaped all punishment – provided his first two witness statements in November 2010.
Mbolombo’s third statement was taken 45 months later and in response to new CCTV evidence uncovered by Dewani’s defence team and disclosed to the prosecution, Francois van Zyl informed the Briton’s trial.Mbolombo’s third statement was taken 45 months later and in response to new CCTV evidence uncovered by Dewani’s defence team and disclosed to the prosecution, Francois van Zyl informed the Briton’s trial.
This is not the only occasion South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has introduced recently gathered evidence to the British businessman’s murder trial.This is not the only occasion South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has introduced recently gathered evidence to the British businessman’s murder trial.
Police ballistics expert Pieter Engelbrecht last week told Cape Town’s high court how the he first examined the Chinese-made semi automatic pistol used to shoot Anni in October 2012 – almost two years after her death.Police ballistics expert Pieter Engelbrecht last week told Cape Town’s high court how the he first examined the Chinese-made semi automatic pistol used to shoot Anni in October 2012 – almost two years after her death.
Warrant Officer Engelbrecht went on to say that he gathered some of his forensic data on Tuesday 21 October of this year – the day before he appeared in court to give witness evidence.Warrant Officer Engelbrecht went on to say that he gathered some of his forensic data on Tuesday 21 October of this year – the day before he appeared in court to give witness evidence.
Shrien Dewani’s defence team has not suggested in court why the South African police might still be gathering some of their evidence almost four years after Anni’s murder took place.Shrien Dewani’s defence team has not suggested in court why the South African police might still be gathering some of their evidence almost four years after Anni’s murder took place.
The Briton’s legal team has, however, pointed to a number of incompatibilities between some of the main prosecution witnesses’ stories.The Briton’s legal team has, however, pointed to a number of incompatibilities between some of the main prosecution witnesses’ stories.
They have also started to paint an alternative account of Anni’s 13 November 2010 murder in the Cape Town township of Gugulethu.They have also started to paint an alternative account of Anni’s 13 November 2010 murder in the Cape Town township of Gugulethu.
In this alternative version of Anni’s death, the 28-year-old Swede was not killed deliberately and at the behest of her husband of two weeks, but by accident in a robbery plot carried out by a gang of incompetents.In this alternative version of Anni’s death, the 28-year-old Swede was not killed deliberately and at the behest of her husband of two weeks, but by accident in a robbery plot carried out by a gang of incompetents.
Anni Dewani died after she was shot once in the neck when the taxi she and her husband was travelling in was hijacked as it passed through Cape Town’s Gugulethu township on the couple’s South African honeymoon.Anni Dewani died after she was shot once in the neck when the taxi she and her husband was travelling in was hijacked as it passed through Cape Town’s Gugulethu township on the couple’s South African honeymoon.
Three South Africans – including to the taxi’s driver, Zola Tongo – have admitted being taking part in the hijack. All three have cut plea bargain or immunity deals with the prosecution in which they claim the plot was masterminded by Anni’s husband Shrien. Three South Africans – including the taxi’s driver, Zola Tongo – have admitted being taking part in the hijack. All three have cut plea bargain or immunity deals with the prosecution in which they claim the plot was masterminded by Anni’s husband, Shrien.
Under cross examination by Dewani’s barrister Van Zyl the driver Tongo on Thursday morning conceded to making numerous mistakes in his various police and courtroom statements. “Everyone makes mistakes”, Tongo told the court. Under cross examination by Dewani’s barrister Van Zyl, the driver Tongo on Thursday morning conceded to making numerous mistakes in his various police and courtroom statements. “Everyone makes mistakes,” Tongo told the court.
Shrien Dewani denies all involvement in his wife’s murder. The case continues.Shrien Dewani denies all involvement in his wife’s murder. The case continues.