Wife of doctor murdered in South Africa calls on Dewani link investigation
The wife of a doctor murdered in South Africa has asked a private investigator to explore any link between her husband's death and Shrien Dewani, the British bridegroom wanted over the murder of his wife.
Shrien Dewani leaves Southmead Police Station, Bristol flanked by police officers after fulfilling the conditions of his bail Photo: PA
Heather Raghavjee asked Christian Botha to examine both cases to see if there was any connection.
The move came after the South African police said they were investigating possible links between the death of Dr Pox Raghavjee in 2007 and that of Anni Dewani in November.
Mrs Dewani was on honeymoon with her new husband Shrien Dewani in Cape Town when their taxi was carjacked and she was shot dead.
Like Dr Raghavjee, she died from a single bullet to the head and her body was left in the car after the attack.
Mr Dewani, 30, was implicated in his wife's murder by the couple's taxi driver Zola Tongo, who admitted his role in the killing and received a lighter sentence for naming Mr Dewani.
The British businessman, from Bristol, is currently fighting extradition from Britain after the South African authorities said they wanted to question him over his wife's murder.
He denies any involvement in her death.
Dr Raghavjee was shot on his way home in the town of King William's Town in November 2007, but no money or valuables were taken.
His family fear he was the victim of organised crime.
The link between Mr Dewani and the Raghavjee killing was made this weekend by the police after it emerged that Mrs Raghavjee travelled 650 miles from her home in King William's Town to Cape Town to comfort the bridegroom following his wife's death.
Mrs Raghavjee's daughter-in-law Alvita Raghavjee, who lives in Bristol and is a family friend of the Dewanis, asked her to go and support Mr Dewani.
It also emerged that another suspect linked to the killing of Mrs Dewani, Monde Mbolombo, is from East London in the Eastern Cape, close to where Dr Raghavjee was killed.
Mr Botha, who has been investigating Dr Raghavjee's death since January this year, said he was asked to look at a potential connection by the doctor's family.
"When something like this happens, it gives a boost to the original investigation. I am definitely going to have a look," he said.
"Of course I will not jeopardise anything that the police are doing. Anything that I find out I must hand to the police."
Mr Botha said the Raghavjee family was shocked at the link being made by police and did not want to comment while the investigation was ongoing.
He said Dr and Mrs Raghavjee had met Mr Dewani's parents before, but not their son.
Max Clifford, representing Mr Dewani, denied any link between the two cases and dismissed the South African police's claims as "ludicrous".
Mr Dewani is currently preparing for his next extradition hearing in January and has to report to a police station in Bristol on a daily basis.
He denies any involvement in her death.
Dr Raghavjee was shot on his way home in the town of King William's Town in November 2007, but no money or valuables were taken.
His family fear he was the victim of organised crime.
The link between Mr Dewani and the Raghavjee killing was made this weekend by the police after it emerged that Mrs Raghavjee travelled 650 miles from her home in King William's Town to Cape Town to comfort the bridegroom following his wife's death.
Mrs Raghavjee's daughter-in-law Alvita Raghavjee, who lives in Bristol and is a family friend of the Dewanis, asked her to go and support Mr Dewani.
It also emerged that another suspect linked to the killing of Mrs Dewani, Monde Mbolombo, is from East London in the Eastern Cape, close to where Dr Raghavjee was killed.
Mr Botha, who has been investigating Dr Raghavjee's death since January this year, said he was asked to look at a potential connection by the doctor's family.
"When something like this happens, it gives a boost to the original investigation. I am definitely going to have a look," he said.
"Of course I will not jeopardise anything that the police are doing. Anything that I find out I must hand to the police."
Mr Botha said the Raghavjee family was shocked at the link being made by police and did not want to comment while the investigation was ongoing.
He said Dr and Mrs Raghavjee had met Mr Dewani's parents before, but not their son.
Max Clifford, representing Mr Dewani, denied any link between the two cases and dismissed the South African police's claims as "ludicrous".
Mr Dewani is currently preparing for his next extradition hearing in January and has to report to a police station in Bristol on a daily basis.
