‘Anni’s death will remain on South Africa’s conscience forever’ says brother as he asks judge to force husband to tell full story

 

Guardian News and Media

Cape Town

The brother of murdered bride Anni Dewani has begged the judge in the trial of her husband, Shrien Dewani, to allow the British businessman’s court case to continue so the world “can hear the full story”.

In an emotional appeal for justice, Anish Hindocha yesterday urged South African trial judge Jeanette Traverso not to discharge the murder case early for lack of evidence.

Any failure to allow the case to continue, Hindocha said, would result in “Anni’s death remaining on the conscience of South Africa forever”.

Having finished presenting its case two weeks ago, the prosecution has been widely criticised as being so poor that Traverso is legally obliged to discharge.

But yesterday morning, Anni’s younger brother asked the judge to force Shrien Dewani to explain his actions. “Please allow us the opportunity to demand justice for our sister”, he said. “Please allow us the full story. We don’t want to return to Sweden or the UK and feel as if we did not get a proper and fair trial in South Africa.

“My message is simple, don’t let Shrien Dewani walk away without giving us, South Africa and people all over the world the full story. Let the law take its full and proper course.”

Flanked by three male cousins, Anish Hindocha spoke emotionally of how the years since Anni’s 2010 death in a Cape Town taxi hijacking have taken a heavy toll on his family. “We have been promised (the truth) for four painful years, which has been devastating for our lives”, Hindocha said. “I worry about my parents’ health and they need this closure. They can barely sleep at night. I beg for this.”

On the first day of his murder trial, Shrien Dewani handed into court a 37-page ‘plea explanation’ document in which he gave a written account of his actions before, during and after his wife’s death but Hindocha claimed this was not enough.

“If we are not given the full facts, by which I mean Shrien Dewani telling the court his full version, then Anni’s death will remain on the conscience of South Africa forever”, he said. “It will also mean a lifetime of torture for me and my family, especially my Mum and Dad.”

Traverso, who is the second most senior judge in Cape Town, is due to announce her decision on whether or not to throw out the case on December 8.