Anni Dewani’s killer Zola Tongo granted PAROLE

The man accused of killing Swedish bride Anni Dewani, Cape Town taxi driver Zola Tongo, has been granted parole. Tongo was sentenced to 18 years in prison after he pleaded guilty and confessed to receiving R15 000 from Dewani’s husband, Shrien Dewani.

Dewani was shot dead in Gugulethu, after a taxi journey went off course. Initially, it was believed that this was another tragic hijacking with fatal consequences – but salacious details about the killing drew the eyes of the world to Cape Town, and Shrien eventually stood trial for her murder.

Despite evidence against the husband which suggested he orchestrated the chilling plot, the courts ruled otherwise in 2014. He was arrested in the UK, but was later acquitted in the High Court in the Western Cape.

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ANNI DEWANI MURDER: ZOLA TONGO’S PAROLE CONDITIONS

Zola Tongo appeared before the parole board for reconsideration on Thursday, 17 March 2022, in Malmesbury, more than a year after his previous parole bid was denied in 2020. It was reported earlier this week that Tongo met with Anni Dewani’s family and participated in a victim/offender dialogue (VOD).

Tongo has a string of conditions to adhere to, as part of his parole.

• Tongo has to find work
• He is also not free to roam around as he pleased and will be placed under house detention
• Tongo must also undergo social work and psychological treatment while on parole
• He is barred from using or trading in any alcohol or drugs and can be subjected to random substance and drug tests

“The completed rehabilitation programmes include anger management, restorative justice, basic computer literacy, cross roads, ahanang ( a combination of life skills and substance abuse), new beginnings programmes under various disciplines ie social work, religious, psychology, skills development and correctional programmes,” the parole board said.