‘It’s a shame’: Anni Dewani’s family on killer, Zola Tongo’s parole

Anni Dewani’s family says it’s a shame that Zola Tongo, the man who killed the British bride in 2010, has been released on parole. 

Anni was on honeymoon in Cape Town with her husband, Shrien when she was shot dead in Gugulethu. On Tuesday, The Department of Correctional Services confirmed that Tongo, who was sentenced to 18 years direct imprisonment for the murder of Dewani will be released on parole. 

ANNI DEWANI’S FAMILY WEIGHS IN ON TONGO’S PAROLE 

Zola Tongo, a taxi driver who fetched the couple from the airport previously claimed that Shrien was the mastermind behind his wife’s murder. However Shrien stood trial and was acquitted of Anni’s murder and returned to his country. 

Tongo pleaded guilty and confessed to receiving R15 000 from Shrien. Tongo appeared before the parole board for reconsideration in March 2022, in Malmesbury, more than a year after his previous parole bid was denied in 2020.He was then granted parole.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Anni Dewani’s uncle, Ashock Hindocha said it’s a shame on the justice system in South Africa and that it can’t be this cheap to take somebody’s life. 

“He got a discounted (sic) sentence for speaking the truth in court but he should not be out,” he said. 

Hindocha also said that Tongo’s parole sends a message that you can commit crime in South Africa and you will not spend the time. 

“The police did a good job in terms of arresting the suspects but the South African justice system let us down.

“All we have been asking for as a family is justice and truth. We know we’re not going to get Anni back but if we just knew what exactly happened and why. We wanted to cross examine Shrien Dewani so he can tell us why they killed Anni if he was indeed involved, but we never got a chance to do so.”

Anni Dewani’s uncle

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