UK tourist murder accused to stand trial

Monday, December 6, 2010

Pretoria - One of the men accused of the murder of UK tourist Anni Dewani is expected to stand trial for the crime on Tuesday.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazilila said Zola Tongo's trial will begin in the Cape High Court.

Tonga was the driver of the vehicle Anni Dewani and her husband Shrien were travelling in when they were hijacked.

Tongo, together with his co-accused Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 25, and Xolile Mngeni, 23, appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Monday. They have been charged with murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping.

According to Ntabazilila, the case against Qwabe and Mngeni was postponed to 25 February 2011 for further investigation.

Anni and Shrien Dewani were honeymooning in the Western Cape when they were hijacked while travelling to Gugulethu in a shuttle taxi.

Shrien Dewani was apparently forced out of the vehicle. His wife's body was later discovered on the back seat of the vehicle in Lingelethu West.