Shrien Dewani returns to UK after being cleared of wife’s murder in 2010
British businessman Shrien Dewani has arrived back in the UK today after being cleared of the murder of his newly-wedded bride in 2010.
34-year-old Dewani left Gatwick airport through a side exit at 7am, flanked by armed police officers, before being driven away in a black people-carrier.
Wearing jeans, white shirt and a jacket, he was greeted by a media scrum outside the airport. A Sky News reporter briefly spoke with Mr Dewani in the first-class lounge and said the family made it clear this was not a time for celebrations.
On Monday, South African judge Jeanette Traverso acquitted Mr Dewani of all charges of involvement in the murder of Anni Dewani. Commenting on the case, Traverso said evidence against the British businessman was “riddled with contradictions”.
The family of murdered Anni believes they will forever be haunted by the burning question of what actually happened to their daughter, who was killed on her honeymoon.
Weeping outside the court on Monday, Anni’s sister Ami Denborg said: “We came here looking for answers and we came here looking for the truth and all we got was more questions […] We never heard the full story of Shrien. We heard that Shrien had led a double life and that Anni knew nothing about it.”
Anni’s family was most upset over Mr Dewani not needing to testify to any of the charges put against him.
Two of the alleged accomplices who the prosecution claim were involved in the murder are currently serving jail sentences. Zola Tongo is serving 18 years and Mziwamadoda Qwabe is doing a 25-year term. Gunman Xolile Mngeni died in prison earlier this year, after being given a life sentence in 2010.
Self-confessed middle-man Monde Mbolombo, who allegedly conspired with Dewani to set up the murder, now risks prosecution, after previously being granted immunity by the state.
Naeem Arzu
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