Odd News

Lawyer: Honeymoon murder suspect wanted way out

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-04 17:51

LONDON - A British man accused of organizing the murder of his wife during their South African honeymoon felt pressured into getting married and wanted a way out, a prosecution lawyer told his extradition hearing Tuesday.

South African prosecutors accuse 31-year-old Shrien Dewani of hiring hit men to kill his wife, Anni. She was found shot dead in an abandoned taxi in Cape Town's deprived Gugulethu township in November.

The taxi driver alleges that Shrien Dewani had paid him to kill his 28-year-old bride.

Lawyer Hugo Keith, acting for South African authorities, said Dewani had told a witness six months before the murder "how he was engaged and had to get married.

"He said although she was a nice, lovely girl who he liked, he could not break out of the engagement because he would be disowned by his family. He went on to say to the witness he needed to find a way out of it," Keith said.

Keith said the unnamed witness was willing to give evidence if Dewani stands trial.

The couple, both of Indian descent, had married in India two weeks before arriving in South Africa for their honeymoon.

Dewani, who denies all charges and is fighting extradition, claims the couple's vehicle was attacked by gunmen during a late-night tour of the impoverished township. He returned to Britain after his wife death's, and South African authorities later filed charges against him.

Their cab driver, Zola Tongo, was convicted of kidnapping, murder, aggravated robbery and obstructing justice, and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Keith told the court that Tongo claims Shrien Dewani asked him if he knew anyone who could "have a client of his taken off the scene."

"After some discussion, Tongo understood that Dewani wanted to have a woman killed," Keith said. "Dewani indicated he would be prepared to pay 15,000 rand (about $2,100)."

Two other men were enlisted to attack the car and make it look like a carjacking, Keith said.

The case has drawn wide attention in Britain and South Africa, where violent crimes are common but attacks on foreign tourists are rare.

Dewani, who is being held at a secure mental hospital, sat slumped in the dock, mumbling to himself with his eyes half-closed as the three-day extradition hearing began at London's Belmarsh Magistrates' Court.

His lawyers say Dewani is suffering from severe post-traumatic stress.