Lyla Dejesus
In 2010, Anni Dewani was murdered while on her honeymoon in South Africa. Her husband, Shrien Dewani, was accused of arranging a murder for hire plot, with several individuals confessing and later changing their stories to allege that Shrien had masterminded the crime. Shrien was extradited to South Africa and acquitted by a Western Cape High Court in 2014. This case gained global attention, with some questioning the evidence and claiming Shrien was the victim of an injustice. The story inspired a film, The Honeymoon Killers, which achieved cult status and critical recognition. In a separate case in 2012, Gabe Watson, dubbed the Honeymoon Killer, saw a murder charge dismissed by a judge following the death of his wife, Tina, during a scuba-cruise honeymoon.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Honeymoon Killer | Gabe Watson |
| Date | 23rd February |
| Year | 2012 |
| Age | 34 |
| Place | Alabama |
| Occupation | N/A |
| Crime | Murder of his wife, Tina Watson |
| Crime Location | During a scuba-cruise honeymoon |
| Crime Details | Gabe let go of Tina to replace his mask and when he turned around, she was sinking |
| Court Verdict | The murder charge was dismissed by a Birmingham, Alabama judge |
| Media Details | Gabe broke his silence in an exclusive interview with "20/20" anchor Elizabeth Vargas |
| Movie | The Honeymoon Killers |
| Movie Plot | A romantic pen pal relationship between Martha Beck and Ray Fernandez that turns into a wild killing spree |
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What You'll Learn
Shrien Dewani's alleged involvement in his wife's murder
Shrien Dewani, a 30-year-old businessman from Bristol, England, was accused of conspiring to murder his wife, Anni Dewani, during their honeymoon in South Africa in 2010. Anni, a Swedish woman of Indian origin, was killed when the taxi she and Shrien were travelling in was hijacked.
Three arrests were made shortly after the crime: hijackers Mziwamadoda Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni, and hotel receptionist Monde Mbolombo. They admitted to their involvement in an unintentionally fatal robbery and kidnapping. However, facing life imprisonment, Qwabe and Mbolombo later changed their stories, alleging that the crime was a premeditated murder for hire instigated by Shrien.
Taxi driver Zola Tongo, who initially claimed to be an innocent victim, also changed his story to implicate Shrien. According to Tongo's confession, Shrien approached him shortly after they arrived in Cape Town and confided that he wanted "a client of his taken off the scene," offering to pay 15,000 rand (about $2,200 or £1,380) for the murder. Tongo claimed he approached Mbolombo, who put him in touch with Qwabe, and that Mbolombo wanted 5,000 rand as a finder's fee.
Shrien's supporters denied the accusations, calling them "ludicrous" and saying that it was absurd to suggest he would solicit an attack on his wife from a taxi driver he had just met. Shrien himself maintained his innocence throughout, pleading not guilty to all charges during his trial, which began in October 2014.
Under cross-examination, the key witnesses—Tongo, Qwabe, and Mbolombo—contradicted their previous statements and each other on key elements of the "murder for hire" story. It was found that Tongo and Mbolombo had fabricated telephone calls and text messages and refused to identify a fifth conspirator referred to in taped recordings. Mbolombo, who had been granted immunity in exchange for his testimony, later had his immunity revoked by the judge due to inconsistencies in his evidence.
Ultimately, Shrien was acquitted by a Western Cape High Court in December 2014, with the judge condemning the prosecution's case.
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Zola Tongo's confession and subsequent guilty plea
Zola Tongo, the taxi driver of honeymoon murder victim Anni Dewani, initially claimed to be an innocent victim of the incident. However, he later changed his story, admitting his involvement in a conspiracy and accusing Shrien Dewani, Anni's husband, of taking part in a 'set-up' in which his wife would be robbed and killed. Tongo alleged that Shrien had paid him to find hitmen to carry out the murder.
Facing life in prison, Tongo struck a plea bargain with prosecutors. On 7 December 2010, he appeared in the Western Cape High Court and, in accordance with his plea deal under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act, pleaded guilty to the armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder of Anni Dewani. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison. As part of his plea deal, Tongo promised to give truthful testimony against Shrien Dewani and in other criminal proceedings related to the crime.
In 2022, twelve years after being sentenced, Tongo was released on parole. However, his parole was revoked a day before he was supposed to be released. He met with Dewani's family and participated in a victim/offender dialogue before being granted parole again in 2022.
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The Hindocha family's divided opinion on Shrien's guilt
The Hindocha family was divided on the question of Shrien Dewani's guilt. Anni Dewani, née Hindocha, was a Swedish woman of Indian origin who was murdered while on her honeymoon in South Africa. Her husband, Shrien Dewani, was accused of plotting with shuttle bus driver Zola Tongo and others to kill her. While some members of the Hindocha family believed in Shrien's guilt, others were sympathetic towards him and denied the accusations.
Anni's father, Vinod Hindocha, insisted that Shrien Dewani hold the key to the truth about what happened to his daughter. He demanded that Shrien face trial and extradition in Cape Town, where the murder took place. Vinod stated that he and his wife had not slept a full night since Anni's death and that they needed all the questions answered to move on with their lives. He expressed his desire for justice and for the message to be sent that the life of a human being is invaluable.
Anni's brother, Anish Hindocha, also expected Shrien's trial to continue and for his discharge application to be dismissed. He stated that Shrien's legal team had repeated the mantra that their client would tell the court certain things, and he wanted the full story of what happened the night his sister was killed. However, Ami Denborg, Anni's aunt, spoke sympathetically of Shrien in interviews with the press. She may have been influenced by the fact that the evidence against Shrien was not conclusive, consisting of very low-credibility testimony and his questionable behavior after the crime, which may not have been convincing proof of his guilt.
The division within the Hindocha family reflects the complexities and uncertainties surrounding the case. While some members firmly believed in Shrien's involvement, others remained skeptical or sought closure and justice through a trial. Ultimately, Shrien was acquitted by a Western Cape High Court in December 2014, bringing a legal conclusion to the case, but leaving the family with unanswered questions and a continued search for truth and justice.
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The legal proceedings and extradition of Shrien Dewani
Shrien Dewani, a 30-year-old businessman from Bristol, England, was accused of arranging the murder of his wife, Anni Dewani, while on their honeymoon in South Africa in 2010. Anni was shot dead in what South African police allege was a staged car-jacking organized by her husband.
Three men were convicted over Anni's death: Xolile Mngeni, a South African, was convicted of premeditated murder for shooting her. Mziwamadoda Qwabe and Zola Tongo, who were offered reduced sentences in exchange for guilty pleas and the promise of truthful testimony against Shrien Dewani. Monde Mbolombo was granted full immunity from prosecution in exchange for his promise of truthful testimony against Shrien Dewani.
Following a long legal battle, Shrien Dewani was extradited from the United Kingdom to South Africa on 7 April 2014. He was charged with five offences: conspiracy to commit kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, kidnapping, and obstructing the administration of justice. Dewani pleaded not guilty to all five charges. His trial began on 6 October 2014.
Under cross-examination, the key witnesses who alleged Dewani's involvement—Zola Tongo, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, and Monde Mbolombo—contradicted their previous statements and each other on most of the key elements of the "murder for hire" story. Tongo and Mbolombo were found to have fabricated telephone calls and text messages and refused to identify a fifth conspirator referred to in taped recordings.
On 24 November 2014, Dewani's counsel argued for the case to be dismissed due to a lack of credible evidence linking his client to the crime. On 8 December, the application for dismissal was granted, and Dewani was acquitted and exonerated of all involvement with the crimes. The judge ruled that there was no credible evidence linking Shrien Dewani to the crime and that the evidence provided by the witnesses was inconsistent and unreliable.
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The media's portrayal of the 'honeymoon killer'
The media's portrayal of Shrien Dewani, dubbed the "honeymoon killer", has been a subject of much discussion and scrutiny. The case gained widespread media attention, with sensational headlines alleging Dewani's involvement in the murder of his wife, Anni Dewani, during their honeymoon in South Africa.
Many media outlets portrayed Dewani as a cold-blooded killer who orchestrated the murder of his wife in a staged carjacking. The prosecution's theory, which gained traction in the media, alleged that Dewani hired killers to carry out the crime, painting him as a calculating and ruthless individual. The media coverage often focused on the shocking nature of the crime, with headlines designed to capture attention and spark outrage.
However, there were also dissenting voices in the media who questioned the portrayal of Dewani as a killer. Some journalists, like Newling, argued that the evidence against Dewani was weak and that he could be the victim of an injustice. They pointed out the inconsistencies in the testimonies of the prosecution's witnesses and raised doubts about the credibility of the conspiracy theory.
The media's portrayal of Dewani as a "honeymoon killer" had a significant impact on public perception. It influenced how the public viewed Dewani, with many believing in his guilt even before the trial began. The media coverage also had repercussions for Dewani personally, as he faced public scrutiny and condemnation, adding to the trauma of losing his wife.
Overall, the media's portrayal of the honeymoon killer was complex and multifaceted. While some outlets focused on the sensational aspects of the crime and portrayed Dewani as a villain, others questioned the prosecution's theory and raised important concerns about the integrity of the evidence. The case highlights the power of media narratives in shaping public opinion and the potential consequences for individuals at the center of such high-profile crimes.
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Frequently asked questions
The Honeymoon Killer is the nickname given to Gabe Watson, whose wife died on their scuba-cruise honeymoon.
Gabe Watson was initially charged with the murder of his wife, but the charges were later dismissed by a judge in Birmingham, Alabama.
Tina Watson died while scuba diving with her husband Gabe Watson on their honeymoon. Gabe claimed that he and Tina got into trouble due to the currents, and he was unable to help her.
