Bring Dewani to justice sooner: ANCWL

10 December 2012 - 17:36 By Times LIVE
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The ANCWL is concerned at the drawn-out extradition process of British businessman Shrien Dewani, who allegedly plotted the murder of his wife Anni while on honeymoon in Cape Town.

The African National Congress Women’s League believes the process has been drawn out unnecessarily and has asked the courts of the UK to consider the fact that justice needs to be served here in South Africa.

“The South African police worked tirelessly to solve the mystery surrounding Anni Dewani’s murder and have had a number of successful convictions,” Mirriam Segabutla, the League’s NEC representative said in a statement.

“However the South African Police have accused Dewani as having a hand in his wife’s murder and we strongly believe he must stand trial for these charges.”

Taxi driver Zola Robert Tongo admitted guilt on the charges of murder in a plea bargain, and was sentenced to 18 years in jail. Hitman Xolile Mnguni was convicted of her murder last month and was sentenced to life in prison. Mziwamadoda Qwabe pleaded guilty to her murder earlier this year and was sentenced to 25 years.

In his admission of guilt statement, Tongo alleged that Dewani had offered him R15 000 to murder his wife.

The extradition hearings have been stalled due to questions surrounding Dewani’s mental health.

Segabutla said a strong message needs to be sent to the international community that crime in South Africa, more especially crimes against women, will not be tolerated, and that South Africa is not a slaughter house where people alleged to have committed crimes can leave the country without standing trail.

“We demand independent expert mental assessments to be carried out on Dewani to determine the true state of his mental health and then that he be extradited to stand trial in South Africa and face the charges he has been accused of,” said Segabutla.

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