Meeting on Anni death probe postponed

A MEETING to determine whether an inquest into the death of Anni Hindocha will be reopened has been postponed for another month, the Sunday Independent reported.

The meeting, which was to be held in London this week, was postponed due to the unavailability of the parties involved, Anni’s uncle Ashok Hindocha told the newspaper.

The meeting is expected to include the North London coroner, and the families of Anni – the Hindochas – and Shrien Dewani.

Dewani was acquitted of Anni’s murder by Western Cape High Court Deputy Judge President Jeanette Traverso in December.

Traverso ruled there was not enough evidence to convict him.

If the inquest proceeds, Dewani could be asked to testify about his wife’s murder, which he did not do during his trial in South Africa.

According to British law, a coroner must investigate all unexplained or sudden deaths of its citizens abroad.

After a lengthy and costly extradition process, Dewani went on trial in Cape Town in October for allegedly plotting with shuttle driver Zola Tongo and others to kill Anni while they were on honeymoon in November 2010.

He pleaded not guilty to charges including kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice.

He claimed the couple were hijacked while Tongo drove them through Gugulethu in his minibus on Saturday, November 13, 2010.

Tongo is serving an 18-year jail term and Mziwamadoda Qwabe a 25-year term for their role in the murder.

Xolile Mngeni was serving life in jail for firing the shot that killed Anni when he died from a brain tumour on October 18.

Hotel receptionist Monde Mbolombo was granted immunity from prosecution on two charges during Mngeni’s trial. – Sapa