Here are the last 4 days front pages of what is probably Cape Town’s largest daily newspaper, as you can see, one story dominates.
Tag: honeymoon murder
Talking about murder trials …
Two of my national dailies report that he’s returning!
“HONEYMOON murder suspect Shrien Dewani could be back in South Africa within weeks. Prosecutors are discussing his return with his legal team after he decided not to continue his battle against extradition.” (Weekend Argus, can’t link it, sorry it’s pay per view)
and
“There is no indication from Mr Dewani of an intention to approach the European Court of Human Rights,” spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said.
Mhaga said the department was liaising with the office of the home secretary in Britain.
“The two offices are facilitating the process of Mr Dewani’s extradition in terms of the last English High Court order.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that his return to our shores brings to finality this protracted legal process,” he said. (The Times / Sunday Times, article here )
About time.
Dewani – a step closer
It’s hard to believe that it is more than 3 years since the murder of Anni Dewani (November 13, 2010)
I’m well aware that the husband can appeal this decision but apparently only on ‘procedural grounds.’ After that it’s possibly the European Courts, we’re getting closer.
I can’t link the report from this newspaper (it’s pay per view) so have reproduced it in it’s entirety for you … Continue reading “Dewani – a step closer”
Dewani extradition, 1 step closer
The UK Home Secretary (Theresa May) has signed the extradition order for Shrien Dewani to be tried in South Africa for the murder of his wife Anni.
Shrien Dewani (the depressed post traumatic stress sufferer) now has 2 weeks to appeal her decision. Theresa May’s approval was required to confirm District Judge Howard Riddle’s decision of 10th August in which after a lengthy hearing he decided that they extradition request was fair, that Dewani was fit to stand trial and that our judicial system would not impinge on his human rights!
Dewani’s options appear to be first the appeal and then an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, the wheels of justice seem to take forever but we can wait.
I’m just delighted that while this is ongoing Dewani is living the life of a virtual prisoner in his fancy care home.
And Max? Continue reading “Dewani extradition, 1 step closer”
Dewani extradition, Max claims torture
While reading my Sunday Times and searching for additional material yesterday I found this:-
The UK’s extradition agreement with South Africa does not require authorities from that country to provide “prima facie” evidence – that is, a summary of the prosecution case.
They only need to state that there is initial suspicion of an offence for there to be sufficient grounds for extradition – unless Mr Dewani’s lawyers can find reasons why he should not be sent back.
It is likely that they will argue that Mr Dewani’s human rights would be seriously compromised if he were to be extradited to South Africa for trial, and if extradition were granted his lawyers are likely to lodge a series of appeals that could end up in the European Court of Human Rights. Recent statements from figures of authority in South Africa have fuelled fears among Mr Dewani’s family that he has already been condemned by many in the country, and that a fair trial would be impossible.
.
Dewani extradition hearing
Our news has reported that Shrien Dewani couldn’t attend today’s hearing because he is suffering from “acute stress disorder”, I’m not really surprised, I’ve often attended court for simple traffic violations and I must admit it makes one quite nervy, I would imagine that a murder accusation would be pretty nerve wracking!
It was also reported that today’s hearing was a mere formality, expected to last ‘only minutes’ and to set a date for the hearing of evidence.
February 8 appears to be D-Day.
Our news also mentioned Continue reading “Dewani extradition hearing”
The first murder
Our lunch time news is full of it.
Those of you following the ‘Cape Town Honeymoon Murder’ case may recall that Barrister Ben Watson representing our lot told the court that Tongo (the taxi driver) had been told that this wasn’t the first time that the millionaire from Bristol had arranged a hijacking and killing.
In 2007 Dr. Pox Raghavjee was hijacked, murdered in his car and left outside a sports stadium near King Williams Town.
What baffled police at the time was that his wallet and other personal possessions (including his mobile phone) were left at the scene.
What’s the connection? The wife is a personal friend of the Dewani family and it was Dr. Pox Raghavjee’s widow (Heather Raghavjee) who drove to Cape Town the morning after the brutal killing of Anni to comfort the husband.
Heather Raghavjee is unfortunately out of the country at the moment so police are unable to move forward!
The monkey got bail
“Three, six, nine
The goose drank wine
The monkey chewed tobacco on the streetcar line
The line broke, the monkey got choked
And they all went to heaven in a little row boat
clap hands”…etc
Anybody heard from Max lately?
The monkey is not considered a flight risk, we’ll wait for the British justice system to run it’s course.
Honeymoon murder update
I note that the judge presiding over the Dewani extradition application is Senior District Judge Howard Riddle (who also presided the Assenge application), Riddle is reported as saying: ‘Either Mr Dewani over a period of time plotted the murder of his wife or he is one of the tragic victims of this incident.’
Judge Riddle added ‘It is clear there is evidence that has been put before me and on the face of it, and I put it no higher than that, evidence on which a trial could evidently proceed.’ (Mail)
The Telegraph report that ‘Dewani withdrew some £1,000 in cash in the days before the murder, including £800 on the eve of the shooting.’
And now The Sun claim ‘HONEYMOON murder suspect Shrien Dewani was seen on CCTV paying cash to the cabbie who claims the millionaire Briton arranged the killing of his bride. Footage from a camera at a posh Cape Town restaurant recorded a private meeting between the care home tycoon and driver Zola Tongo after wife Anni’s death.’
The bails conditions apparently;
£250,000 surety
Surrender passport
10am – 2pm curfew
Agree to be tagged. Continue reading “Honeymoon murder update”
Honeymoon murder
£1300, that’s what our Times Newspaper report the driver (Tongo) admitted in court today is what the ‘husband’ paid for the murder of his wife!
The DT report that Tongo got 18 years and will testify against the 2 co-accused (the ‘hitmen’.)
The Daily Mail have a similar report but as is the case with the DT we can’t comment for ‘legal reasons’
This Max Clifford must have a lot of connections, every time I try and post something on this case on MyT it’s quickly deleted.
Clifford is reported as saying “We were warned to expect what has happened today because our South African lawyers said this is often how cases develop there.”
Well I’d like some examples, I can’t recall a single case with circumstances remotely similar to this!
e-news (an independent news service here) have just reported that our lot have issued an extradition warrant for the husband, good.
Boadicea's Chariot 
