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 film and examinations of phone call and text records prompted South African authorities to launch moves to extradite Dewani, 30.
He appeared in a London court yesterday after presenting himself at a police station on Tuesday night following Tongo’s allegations that he hired hitmen to kill Anni, 28, and arranged a fake carjacking to cover up the crime.
Tongo claimed Dewani paid him £90 to help him find a killer and stage the carjacking.
Backed
A police source in Cape Town, where the honeymooning couple’s taxi was ambushed in a crime-ridden township last month, said: “Tongo’s claim he was given money by Dewani after Anni’s death is backed up in full colour on video.“CCTV footage shows them meeting in a restaurant area of a hotel and Shrien Dewani hands money to the driver.
“This was days after Anni’s body was found, at a time when Dewani was staying in the Cape Grace Hotel and being comforted by relatives.
The driver’s statements are also supported by witness statements and phone records at crucial times.
“Police believe they have enough evidence to prosecute Dewani and that there is a clear case to answer.”
It was unclear last night why the businessman, of Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, handed over the money – and whether he was simply paying a fare.
And a source close to him said: “This may be one of many instances where the wrong conclusions are being drawn and two plus two is being made to equal five.”
South African investigators are also puzzled about Dewani’s decision to hire 31-year-old Tongo on arrival in Cape Town despite the availability of a hotel courier service.
Tongo has been jailed for 18 years after confessing to being part of a plot with locals Xolile Mngeni, 23, and Mzwamadoda Qwabe, 25.
Dewani, being held on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, was led away in handcuffs after a dramatic extradition hearing at City of Westminster court.
District judge Howard Riddle awarded him bail despite hearing he posed a serious risk of doing a bunk.
The judge imposed stringent conditions including an electronic tag and a £250,000 surety from his family.
But in yet another twist to the case barrister Ben Watson, acting for South African authorities, launched an immediate appeal.
That ensured Dewani, wearing sport clothes emblazoned with his initials, will remain in custody prior to a High Court hearing tomorrow.
Dewani’s QC Clare Montgomery dismissed the allegations facing him as “demonstrably false”.
She accused the South Africans of trying to set him up for the murder to stop tourists being discouraged from visiting the country.
The QC added: “He was very much in love with his wife.”
Swedish-born Anni’s sister Ami said last night: “I don’t know what to believe.”
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3267547/Murder-suspect-Shrien-Dewani-caught-on-CCTV-paying-cash-to-plot-claim-cabbie.html
