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- The probation of Zola Tongo, the bus driver who helped orchestrate the 2010 murder of Anni Dewani, has been revoked.
- The victim’s family welcomed the reversal of the parole board.
- Tongo accused Dewani’s husband, Shrien, of offering him money to organize his death.
Zola Tongo, the bus driver who helped orchestrate Anni Dewani’s 2010 murder, had his probation revoked, a day before he was supposedly released.
Rapport reports that Tongo applied for parole in May and was reportedly released on July 28, but shortly before he was supposed to be released from jail, he was informed that the parole board had reversed the decision.
Tongo was jailed for 18 years after pleading guilty to kidnapping, robbery, murder and obstruction of justice.
Dewani was shot and killed on November 13, 2010.
In his plea agreement, Tongo said he was not present when the shooting occurred. He accused Dewani’s husband, Shrien, of offering him money to organize his death.
Although the husband was arrested, he was eventually released and acquitted in the Western Cape Superior Court due to conflicting evidence. News24 reported that the court dismissed him and that he returned to the UK at large.
In 2019, Dewani’s father, Vinod Hindocha, met Tongo at an emotional restorative justice ceremony, according to the Department of Correctional Services.
But Ashok Hindocha, Anni Dewani’s uncle, told Rapport this week that his family was grateful that the parole board barred Tongo from being released because the family still had questions about what happened to him.
READ | Take a closer look at a terrible crime that shook South Africa
The Department of Correctional Services confirmed to Rapport that the parole decision had been reversed and would be reviewed. No reasons were provided.
A source close to Tongo told TimesLIVE that Tongo was devastated by the change and had already packed his bags and hoped to be reunited with his family the next day.
Tongo’s co-defendant, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, was jailed for 25 years, while Xolile Mngeni, who pulled the trigger, received life in prison. He died in jail as a result of a brain tumor.
– Compiled by Helena Wasserman
