Image: ESA ALEXANDER
Anni Dewani's family say they have been strengthened in dealing with the harrowing evidence about her death being led in court by reconnecting with her spirit yesterday at the spot in Khayelitsha where her body was found four years ago.
Anni's father, Vinod Hindocha, her mother Nilam, brother Anish and a few friends attended a ceremony to mark the fourth anniversary of her death.
They all wept as they laid flowers, and placed pictures of Anni, while a priest conducted a Hindu service. Throngs of Khayelitsha residents came to watch the ceremony.
"It is four years since my sister's tragic death," said Anish. "We want to thank all South Africans for their support. She has received many brothers and sisters. You are all our brothers and sisters now. We hope we will get justice."
Swedish-born Anni and her British husband, Shrien, were on honeymoon in Cape Town when she was killed in an allegedly fake hijacking on November 13 2010.
Her body was found in an abandoned shuttle taxi in Khayelitsha the following morning. The owner of the taxi, Zola Tongo, implicated Dewani in the killing. He claimed Dewani hired him to find hit men to kill her and had offered R15000 for the hit.
Dewani is facing a series of charges in the Cape Town High Court, including murder, kidnapping and robbery.
The court adjourned to allow the families time to commemorate the anniversary of her death.
Dewani wept in the dock on Wednesday as CCTV footage of him and his wife on their arrival in South Africa were shown in court.
Actress Andrea Dondolo, who lives next to the spot where Anni's body was found, planted a tree in her memory.
"Her blood was split on our soil so it was only fitting to plant a tree in her memory," she said. "I planted it last year and hope that it will represent growth and change. We are hoping for justice for her."
The family went to a Hindu temple in Athlone for private prayer.
Dewani's trial continues today.