Dewani killer free on parole

TWO killers, one the mastermind behind the Cape Town murder of Anni Dewani and the other Morné Harmse, dubbed the Krugersdorp “Samurai Killer”, have been granted parole this week.

The news of Zola Tongo’s successful parole bid spread like wildfire through the country and internationally yesterday.

Tongo, who was sentenced to 18 years behind bars for Dewani’s 2010 murder, is expected to be released on parole on June 21.

According to the parole board’s findings, Tongo showed good behaviour and participated in rehabilitation programmes.

Victim participation was included during the hearing. Tongo’s conditions for parole include that he be under high-risk supervision for 12 months, to be monitored closely, seek employment and receive social work and psychological support.

Dewani, from Sweden, was on honeymoon in Cape Town with her husband, Shrien Dewani, in November 2010. The taxi they were travelling in in Khayelitsha had been hijacked and she was shot and killed.

Arrests were made and hijackers Mziwamadoda Qwabe, Xolile Mngeni, and hotel receptionist Monde Mbolombo, who admitted to their involvement, were arrested.

Qwabe and Mbolombo later claimed the murder had been premeditated and that they were hired by Shrien. Tongo had at first claimed he was innocent and changed his story that Shrien had been the orchestrator.

Tongo received 18 years after pleading guilty while Qwabe was sentenced to 25 years and Mngeni was slapped with a life sentence.

Mbolombo had gained immunity after exchanging vital information.

Shrien had been extradited from the UK to South Africa to face trial but was acquitted by the Western Cape High Court in December 2014.

Anni’s uncle, Ashok Hindocha, told IOL that the decision was a shame to the South African justice system.

Harmse, who made headlines in 2008, was 18 years old when he went on a killing rampage with a sword at his school, leaving one pupil dead and three others wounded.

National spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services Singabakho Nxumalo said Harmse had appeared before the Zonderwater Management Area Correctional Supervision and Parole Board eight times and was granted seven further profiles due to outstanding issues.

Nxumalo said the Victim Offender Dialogue had been followed in 2019 and that his parole conditions would be strict and would be monitored as of March 3 and if he defaulted, parole would be revoked.

“Harmse is subjected to strict parole conditions (which we do not disclose publicly) and will be monitored,” Nxumalo said.

“His parole placement grants powers to the department to monitor him and if he is found not to be complying with the conditions of his placement, DCS can revoke his parole,” Nxumalo said.

ZOLA Tongo