Sunday, December 26, 2010

'Accusations of Brit-Indian honeymooner's involvements in wife's murder outrageous'

London, Nov 22 : After some South African detectives raised doubts about Brit-Indian business tycoon Shrien Dewani's account of his role in the incident that led to the murder of his wife, his family members and associates have hit back at the suggestion calling it 'outrageous'.



"The family are attending Anni's funeral and are still very upset. Any suggestion that he had anything to do with this is outrageous. They were on their honeymoon and these rumours are disgusting. He is already having to go back to Cape Town and is very upset about that," the Daily Mail quoted a family friend, as saying.

Meanwhile, the South African media have asked why the police's main witness was allowed to leave the country before even identifying any of the three suspects who have been arrested in connection with the crime.

Few South African newspapers have even referred to the incident as 'an apparent hijack'.

However, South Africa's chief of police, General Bheki Cele, has said that since Dewani was not a suspect, therefore they could not hold him back. He also said that Dewani was allowed to go back to Brisbane with the understanding that he would be available for questioning.'

Dewani would reportedly be returning back to Cape Town to help in the investigation process next week, the paper said.

Meanwhile Zola Tongo, the driver of the couple''s hijacked taxi is reported to have turned a "state witness".

"This is a very bad situation and I am in fear of my life. I did not do it. I have done nothing wrong," The Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

Meanwhile, Cape Town detectives have promised "an explosive revelation" in the case, saying: "The new information will show this was not a random hijacking."

South African police had earlier arrested a 26-year-old man from Cape Town''s Khayelitsha slum in connection with the slaying Anni. Meanwhile, two more local men, aged 26 and 31, have been arrested on suspicion of their involvement in the murder case.

The couple had reportedly arrived in the country last week and spent four days on safari in the Kruger National Park. On Friday they moved to Cape Town and after spending Saturday lounging by their hotel pool, they decided to head out.

At Cape Town's five-star Cape Grace Hotel where the couple had been staying, Dewani said: "We spent an a hour-and-a-half driving around the city. At around 9pm, we headed to Somerset West (a suburb 30 miles away)," when they were attacked.

--ANI