Husband of murdered bride 'not returning to identify attackers'

The husband of a woman who was murdered in a bungled robbery while the couple were on honeymoon in South Africa will not return there for an identify parade.

Anni Denwani, 28, from Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, was shot dead after gunmen hijacked her and husband Shrien's car on 13 November as they were travelling through Gugulethu township, Cape Town.

Mr Dewani and the driver of the car, Zola Tonga, 31, from Bothasig, were forced from the vehicle and flagged down a motorist for help. Mrs Denwani's body was discovered in the abandoned car the next day.

Mr Tonga and another man, Mzwamadoda Qwabe, 26, from Khayelitsha, have since been charged with her murder.

A third person, Xolile Mmgeni, 26, from Khayelitsha, is due to face court over charges including murder and "robbery with aggravating circumstances" on Thursday.

Mr Dewani's spokesman, Max Clifford, said his client had not been asked to return to South Africa to identify the alleged assailants.

"At this stage there has been no request for Shrien to go out to South Africa for an identity parade," he said.

"As the primary witness in this ordeal, Shrien is fully co- operating with the South African police on a daily basis and helping them with their inquiries.

"Shrien is currently grieving the death of his new bride Anni and abiding by Hindu rituals post-death, and trying to come to terms with this awful tragedy.

"He is keen for justice to be done and the criminals caught."

Mr and Mrs Dewani had only been married for a fortnight.

Mr Dewani said the couple decided to venture outside the normal tourist areas on their honeymoon.

He said: "Anni grew up in Sweden, and had never been to Africa before so she suggested that we should have a look at the 'real Africa'."

Mr Tonga and his legal team are consulting with the director of public prosecutions in Western Cape about a possible plea agreement, a police spokesman said.