‘Dewani may never speak publicly’
LONDON: Former Cape Town murder suspect Shrien Dewani may never speak publicly about his wife Anni’s murder after a London coroner ruled that a full inquest into her death was unlikely.
Despite pressure from Anni Dewani’s family, North London coroner Andrew Walker ruled that a full hearing in the UK would not have any “useful purpose” after last December’s court case in Cape Town saw Shrien acquitted of murder.
Walker said he would write to the widower asking him to attend another coroner’s court date next month to answer questions from Anni’s family, but he is not compelled to do either. With his previous reluctance to co-operate, it is un- likely he will ever speak publicly about the night of his new bride’s death.
Anni was found shot dead in the back of a taxi following an alleged hijacking in Gugulethu on November 14, 2010.
Zola Tongo, Mziwamadoda Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni were handed prison terms for their role in the killing, which they claimed Shrien orchestrated. He has always denied involvement in her death and was acquitted of murder at the High Court following a long extradition battle in the UK.
Anni’s father Vinod Hindocha, his arm in a sling after a freak lift accident in May, was accompanied by his brother Ashok at court where they tried to convince Walker to hold a full inquest.
However, Walker said his powers would not go beyond the trial in Cape Town and he could not force Shrien Dewani to incriminate himself by answering questions.
A visibly distressed Vinod said: “It has been five years now and I still don’t know what happened to my daughter.” Outside court he called on Dewani to “be a man” and answer the family’s questions.