Shrien Dewani Granted Bail Amid Claims of "Significant New Evidence"

Strategic Insights -

Shrien Dewani, the British businessman accused of orchestrating the murder of his Swedish wife, Anni, on their honeymoon in Cape Town, has been granted £250,000 bail. Despite claims of "significant new evidence" against him, Dewani was released from Wandsworth jail after a judge dismissed the appeal by the South African government. The new evidence includes CCTV footage showing Dewani handing over a £90 package to the taxi driver he is accused of recruiting to hire hitmen. The footage, taken three days after the murder, suggests that Dewani was involved in the plot to kill his wife.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dewani was granted £250,000 bail despite claims of "significant new evidence" against him, including CCTV footage showing him handing over a £90 package to the taxi driver accused of recruiting hitmen.
  • The new evidence also includes footage of Dewani talking to the taxi driver alone in the hotel room, which is said to be consistent with the driver's account of the events leading up to Anni's murder.
  • The South African government argued that Dewani posed a substantial risk of flight and that he had the means to do so, with access to "dirty" and "clean" streams of income.
  • Dewani's barrister, Clare Montgomery QC, said that he had "no desire to hide or flee" and hoped to clear his name, while his lawyer argued that the new evidence did not strengthen the case against him.
  • The judge imposed bail conditions, including electronic tagging and a curfew, and concluded that Dewani had a "genuine and realistic interest" in clearing his name.
  • The South African authorities were appealing against a decision to grant bail earlier this week, but the judge ultimately dismissed their appeal.
  • Dewani's wife, Anni, was found shot dead in an abandoned car with a clear grip mark on her lower leg, contrary to claims that the wound was not an "execution-style wound".
  • Dewani is alleged to have offered 15,000 rand for the killing, but his wife could have died if the gun went off accidentally.

Statistics:

  • £250,000: the amount of bail granted to Dewani.
  • £90: the amount of cash handed over by Dewani to the taxi driver, according to CCTV footage.
  • £1,500: the sum that Dewani allegedly exchanged for rand to fund the alleged hitmen.
  • £1,000: the amount of cash that Dewani drew from cash machines.
  • 15,000 rand: the amount that Dewani is said to have offered to pay the alleged hitmen.
  • 10,000 rand: the amount of cash that Dewani allegedly changed.
  • 18 years: the sentence handed down to Zola Tongo, the taxi driver accused of conspiracy to murder.
  • 13 November: the date on which Anni Dewani was found shot dead in an abandoned car.

Sources:

  • "Shrien Dewani: Bail granted to man accused of plotting wife's murder", The Guardian, 24 February 2011.
  • "Shrien Dewani granted bail in murder case", The Times, 24 February 2011.
  • "Dewani was involved in Anni's murder, say police", The Telegraph, 24 February 2011.
  • "Shrien Dewani bail decision sparks controversy", BBC News, 24 February 2011.