ANCWL GRAVELY DISAPPOINTED BY DEWANI VERDICT

8 DECEMBER 2014

The African National Congress Women's League is gravely disappointed by the ruling of the Western Cape High Court today to dismiss Shrien Dewani's murder trial. Much has been done over the past four years to seek to bring to book Anni Dewani's alleged killer. Indeed there had been prima facie evidence on the basis of which Shrien Dewani had been extradited back to South Africa and the very least we would have expected would have been for him to have his day in court to answer to the many questions that Anni's family and the world at large still carry.

This ruling is particularly disheartening taking place as it does during the time when the world is marking the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. It sends a message that much more still needs to be done to ensure that our criminal justice system is responsive and does not fail the most vulnerable in society. The ANC Women's League will continue to fight tirelessly against gender based violence wherever it raises its head and particularly where it is alleged it is perpetrated by women's intimate partners.

The African National Congress Women's League is studying the judgement and will seek a legal opinion before commenting further on this matter.

Statement issued by Edna Molewa, Head of Communications, African National Congress Women's League, December 8 2014

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