Murder Suspect Hires Private Eyes

(Posted on 08/09/11)

Even as a judge was ruling Shrien Dewani back to Africa to stand trial for the murder of his new wife, other wheels were in motion as he, his solicitors and his family were hiring investigation teams to provide a more thorough review of the evidence in hopes the "real" killer would be revealed. The hunt for new evidence begins where the life of Anni Dewani ended: South Africa.

Brooke International is the team heading up the investigation from its Cape Town headquarters. In what's being referred to as a "root and branch" review, Dewani is looking to keep his stay in an African prison a short one. Now, several UK and African publications are reporting his family has already dropped a £40,000 retainer fee to secure the best legal representation for his time spent there. It's believed solicitor Taswell Papier is heading up that team.

Anni Dewani was murdered after she and her new husband had arrived in Cape Town for their honeymoon. While on a tour of the surrounding area, both Dewani and the cab driver concocted a story about their vehicle being hijacked. They said the cab driver was kicked out of the car first, followed by Dewani a bit later, leaving Anni Dewani alone with the hijackers-turned-kidnappers.

Law enforcement later found Mrs. Dewani's body. The cab driver, Zola Tongo, has already pled guilty and is currently serving an 18 year jail sentence in an African prison for his role in the murder. He maintains Shrien Dewani was the one who put the wheels in motion. After Dewani secured the driver's services, the driver then secured the services of the two actual hitmen. They have pled not guilty and are currently awaiting trial.

While Dewani is awaiting extradition, his solicitors in the UK are reporting he remains in a psychiatric facility in Bristol. He's being evaluated and the hopes are that that evaluation will prevent his having to leave the UK at all.