Husband arrested over bride's murder

Shrien Dewani, the British man whose wife was murdered while the couple was on a honeymoon in South Africa last month, was arrested yesterday after surrendering to police in Bristol, England.

The 30-year-old is accused by South African authorities of conspiring "with others to murder Anni Dewani" in Cape Town, police said in an emailed statement.

Anni, 28, was killed Nov. 13 after the taxi she and her husband were traveling in was carjacked in the township of Gugulethu, near Cape Town.

The Public Prosecutor alleged in the High Court that taxi driver Zola Tongo was hired by Shrien to arrange the murder, the South African Press Association (Sapa) reported.

A publicist hired by Shrien Dewani said yesterday the allegations were "ludicrous" and "totally untrue."

Tongo, who was sentenced to 18 years in jail for his role in the murder, said in a plea bargain with the state that Shrien Dewani offered him 15,000 rand ($2,160) to orchestrate a hit on his wife, according to the news agency.

Tongo, 31, found two other men to carry out the killing, Sapa reported.

The two have also been arrested in connection with the murder.

- AGENCIES