Brit-Indian honeymooner arrested in UK on ‘masterminding wife’s murder charges’

LONDON - Shrien Dewani, the Brit-Indian millionaire whose wife was killed during their honeymoon in Cape Town last month, has been reportedly arrested in the UK at the request of the South African authorities.

According to the BBC, Dewani was arrested after the taxi driver of the couple during their honeymoon trip, Zola Tongo, told Western Cape High Court on Tuesday that the Bristol based businessman had offered him 15,000 rand (1,400 pounds) to kill his wife.

Dewani is due to appear before the City of Westminster Magistrates later, the Metropolitan Police said.

Meanwhile South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority had confirmed that his extradition was “likely to be considered” as investigations around the businessman’s alleged role intensified, the Telegraph said.

His family however has denied the allegations calling them as “totally ludicrous”.

Scotland Yard said that Dewani, from Westbury-on-Trym, was arrested in the UK following an extradition request by prosecutors in South Africa.

Tongo was sentenced to 18 years in jail after agreeing a plea bargain. He was charged with murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and perverting the course of justice, the BBC said.

Two others allegedly involved in the murder, Xolile Mnguni, 23, and Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 25, face charges of murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping, it added.

Dewani and his wife Anni were two weeks into their Cape Town honeymoon when the taxi they were in was hijacked in the Khayelitsha township by two men armed with guns on November 13.

He had returned to England after the murder and has always denied any involvement in his wife’s death. (ANI)