Dewani uncle slams BBC over documentary

The uncle of murdered honeymooner Anni Dewani has accused documentary makers of interfering in the justice system ahead of a programme raising questions about the case against her alleged killer.

Ashok Hindocha, the uncle of Anni Dewani who was killed in South Africa in Nov 2010, said it is for a court to look at allegations against her former husband Shrien Dewani, 33.

He is accused of ordering the murder of his new bride, who was shot in the neck as the couple travelled in a taxi in the outskirts of Cape Town.

A BBC Panorama team has obtained police files concerning the prosecution case against Dewani and has asked forensic experts to examine them.

A BBC spokesman said the findings have exposed “fundamental failings” in the police investigation, and it is in the public interest for them to be aired. The programme is due to be broadcast next Thursday.

Mr Hindocha said: “They are interfering with the justice system, it’s just very strange for me. I don’t think a public service company should go into a case which hasn’t been tried in a court yet. This case should be in court where witnesses can be cross-examined, not in a studio in London. It’s very wrong.

“I’m concerned about what material they have got. I know for sure that the South African authorities haven’t officially given anything to them. Is this material stolen or paid for? Is it manufactured? I don’t know.

“These experts have not interviewed any witnesses. they have not been at the crime scene, they have maybe never been to South Africa. These experts are part of a programme implying that Shrien could not have done that. It’s a shame.”

In July, District Judge Howard Riddle ruled that Dewani should be extradited to face trial in South Africa, now that he has recovered sufficiently from mental health problems. But lawyers acting for Dewani immediately announced their intention to appeal.

A BBC spokesman said: “We understand that the programme may be difficult viewing for Anni’s family and have approached it sensitively, including contacting her uncle, as the representative of the family, in advance, to let him know that it would air on Sept 19.

“We received replies from Mr Hindocha which did not raise these objections. The police evidence we have obtained is neither manufactured nor stolen, nor did we pay for it.”

Dewani has undergone treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression since his wife’s death.

He has been allowed to position a camper van in the grounds of Fromeside hospital, Bristol, where he spends hours at a time, and is also allowed unregulated access to a laptop and visits to his home every day.

So far three men have been convicted over Mrs Dewani’s death.