Dewani will be found innocent - Clifford

Caryn Dolley

Honeymoon murder suspect Shrien Dewani’s spin doctor says his client is confident he will be found innocent and understands an alleged confession by one of his wife’s hit men was forced by the police.

Two days ago, during murder accused Mziwamadoda Qwabe’s bail application in the Wynberg Regional Court, investigating officer Paul Hendrikse’s affidavit was read out.

A day after Qwabe’s November 18 arrest, he had confessed to his role in Anni Dewani’s killing and had pointed out the crime scene to the police, as well as the bullet cartridge which officers had retrieved, according to the affidavit.

Hendrikse said Qwabe’s confession corroborated the information supplied by Zola Robert Tongo in his plea and sentencing agreement.

He had driven the Dewanis around while they were in Cape Town and had handed himself over to the police after the killing.

Tongo, who was sentenced to 18 years in jail about two months ago, said Dewani had approached him and asked him to help organise Anni Dewani’s murder in exchange for R15 000.

Yesterday Dewani’s British spokesman Max Clifford said his client had heard about Qwabe confession.

“But Qwabe actually retracted his confession given to police.

“It was beaten out of him by the police. Therefore it’s inadmissible as evidence,” Clifford said. “Shrien has the utmost respect for the legal proceedings and wants to fully clear his name. He will be found totally innocent,” he said.

Clifford said Dewani, who was supposed to appear in a UK court on Tuesday for proceedings regarding his extradition to South Africa, was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

“He’s very ill.”

Clifford said if Dewani was not present in court next week, his legal team would handle the proceedings.

During court proceedings two days ago Qwabe, who did not appear to have had any direct contact or dealings with Dewani, did not answer any questions about the case, including questions about his alleged confession.

Qwabe refused to comment on the merits of the case, saying he would do so during his trial.

During cross-examination he alleged a police officer he said he could point out and name had assaulted him at the police’s organised crime unit offices soon after his arrest.

But he refused to answer questions about the incident, saying he had lodged a complaint with the Independent Complaints Directorate.

This was the assault Clifford was referring to when he said Qwabe’s confession had been “beaten out of him”.

Qwabe is expected to appear in the Wynberg Regional Court again on February 25 with his co-accused Xolile Mngeni.

caryn.dolley@inl.co.za