Dewani cleared of honeymoon murder

British businessman Shrien Dewani has been dramatically cleared of the murder of his honeymoon bride Anni.

Judge Jeanette Traverso dismissed the case against Dewani after roundly condemning the evidence of the chief prosecution witness.

Announcing her ruling, the judge said: “The accused is found not guilty of this charge.”

Giving her ruling in Cape Town on an application by Dewani’s defence lawyer Francois van Zyl to dismiss the prosecution, Judge Traverso said cab driver Zola Tongo’s claims about the murder of Anni Dewani were “riddled with contradictions” and “highly debatable”.

The judge said the evidence presented by the prosecution fell “far below” the required threshold.

She said the only reason not to grant the application would be in the hope that Dewani would implicate himself if he gave evidence .

But to do so would be a “manifest misdirection”, she said.

The decision to dismiss the case was a huge disappointment for the family of Mrs Dewani, 28, whose maiden name was Hindocha.

In a statement outside court, the family said: “We feel really, really sad because we have not heard the full story. Shrien lived a double life.”

Last week the Hindochas begged Dewani to ”tell the world what happened the night she died”, with her brother Anish imploring him to take to the witness stand and tell his story for the first time.

Leaving the Cape Town court today after the judge ruled that would not be necessary, the Hindocha were clearly distraught and angry.

Dewani, who was finally extradited this year to face trail accused of planning the murder of his wife in November 2010, listened intently as key evidence against him was criticised by the judge.