Retailer’s Dewani T-shirts ‘open old wounds’

THE Durban businessman behind a controversial T-shirt that takes a dig at murder accused Shrien Dewani, has described as “outrageous” threats to boycott his stores and stage protests.

But Dinesh Dowlath, who raised the ire of the family of Anni Dewani, who was murdered in Gugulethu while on honeymoon with Shrien in Cape Town in 2010, said that, while he was sorry for offending her family, he would not pull his remaining stock from the shelves.

Gugulethu residents are also upset and want to meet Dowlath, who said he would not be printing any more of the T-shirts. They’re emblazoned on the front with the words, “Dewani-Tours – treat your wife to a killer holiday”, and on the back with, “Powered by Googlelethu South Africa” – a play on the Cape Town township as well as the internet search engine Google.

Dowlath, who owns a string of businesses in Durban, including clothing shop Drop Zone at the Workshop, said the T-shirts were not meant to upset or humiliate Anni’s family, nor were they meant to offend Gugulethu residents.

Mzwandile Zwane, who runs Liziwe’s Guest House in Gugulethu, said it was “shocking” for anyone to make fun of the Dewani murder.

A product such as that would upset the people of Gugulethu and “open old wounds”, he said.

“The murder affected our community deeply. All the good publicity that came with the 2010 World Cup was ruined. Overnight it went from tourists loving Gugulethu to tourism blackout.”

Zwane said that if Shrien was extradited, stood trial and was found guilty, “he needs to come to the people of Gugulethu and apologise for the harm that he has caused”.

Dowlath said he understood that the residents were upset with him, and wanted him to meet them.

“I am prepared to meet with a representative,” he said.

“I have done nothing wrong. They want to boycott my stores and stage protests. That’s a bit outrageous. They must lighten up.”

He claimed to have attracted international media attention and calls from the US and London about his wares.

Dowlath said he had a creative streak and put it to use in his clothing business.

“I come from a family of tailors. This type of thing just comes naturally to me,” he said. “I opened my first store when I was 15 at the Wheel Shopping Centre. I have not looked back since.”

Dowlath said the T-shirts were printed about a year ago when the murder trial began.

“I believe Shrien Dewani should come back to South Africa and state his case. He must not be a coward. This T-shirt just takes a cheap shot at him.”

He said he was a strong supporter of Anni’s family and acknowledged their pain. “Anni was a beautiful young person who had her life snatched away. Like millions of people, I, too, want to see justice.”