JOHANNESBURG: A British millionaire businessman goes on trial today accused of masterminding the murder of his wife during their honeymoon in South Africa four years ago.
Shrien Dewani’s case has finally reached trial after he lost a three-year extradition fight in Britain and was ruled mentally fit to stand trial. He was sent back to South Africa in April to answer charges for the murder of his Swedish-born bride Anni (née Hindocha), who was shot dead on November 13, 2010.
Dewani, 34, is accused of orchestrating the hit by hiring three South Africans to kill the 28-year-old in Cape Town.
He denies the charge, claiming the pair were hijacked at gunpoint during their honeymoon as they drove through Cape Town’s poor Gugulethu township in a taxi.
Dewani escaped unharmed, but his wife’s body was found in the abandoned car the next day.
The three South Africans have been tried and convicted and are serving jail sentences of between 18 years and life for their role in Anni Dewani’s death. AFP
