Killer implicates victim's husband

The husband of murdered honeymoon bride Anni Dewani has been accused in a South African court of plotting her death.

A South African convicted of killing Mrs Dewani claimed Shrien Dewani paid to have his wife killed on a late-night taxi ride to a notorious township.

In a plea agreement submitted in court, Zola Tongo claimed Mr Dewani approached him about killing his new wife the day the couple arrived in South Africa.

The body of 28-year-old Mrs Dewani was found the next day in the township; she had been shot in the back of the neck. Mr Dewani, 30, has denied any involvement in his wife’s murder.

Mrs Dewani’s father, Viand Hindocha, attended the hearing and left with tears in his eyes. He thanked South Africans who investigated the case, and people around the world who had offered his family support.

Tongo said he drove the couple from the airport to their hotel on November 13. Once the wife was out of earshot, the driver said Mr Dewani asked if he could find someone to kill her.Tongo said Mr Dewani offered 50,000 rand each (about £4,500), but paid only 1,000 (about £90).

As a result of his plea bargain, Tongo was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison. He was expected to give evidence against the other suspects, including two South Africans who were arrested soon after Mrs Dewani’s body was discovered.

Mr Dewani’s publicist Max Clifford dismissed Tongo’s story. “Coming from a taxi driver who admitted to playing a part in murdering his wife, I think it should be treated with contempt it deserves,” Mr Clifford told Sky News.

“Let’s see what evidence there is to back up these accusations. They have said he (Shrien Dewani) is not a suspect. That is the only true communications that have come out from the official bodies.”

A spokesman for South Africa’s national prosecuting office said that a bid to request Shrien Dewani’s extradition is “a matter that is likely to be considered” as part of continuing investigations.