A reasonable court could not convict Dewani says judge

It took Judge Jeanette Traverso almost three hours to explain why honeymoon murder accused Shrien Dewani should return to the UK as a free man.

Dewani was implicated in the orchestration of his wife Anni's murder in Cape Town four years ago. After the state had closed its case, Dewani brought an application to have him discharged based on the state's weak case.

His counsel advocate Francois van Zyl magnified contradictions in shuttle operator Zola Tongo's testimony. Tongo, who turned state witness, claims that Dewani hired him to find hitmen to kill Anni.

Traverso said Tongo is the only witness who could link Dewani to the crime. But she found that his testimony was replete with "contradictions" and "lies". She said a reasonable court could not convict Dewani based on that evidence.

She cleared Dewani of all charges including murder and robbery.

"The application is granted," said Traverso. "The accused is found not guilty."