Bitter Dawn: The Truth about the murder of Anni Dewani

by Dan Newling

The man standing next to me was a tall, good-looking man of Indian heritage in his early 30s. Shrien Dewani seemed calm and composed. The only outward signs of trauma I could notice were the two large, dark purple bags under each of his eyes. I offered him a seat. He accepted and we started to talk. Over the following 45 minutes, the British businessman told me about the murder of his wife, Anni, 40 hours earlier.' So begins Bitter Dawn, Dan Newling's journalistic investigation into a crime that ignited firestorms of outrage across the world. At first the story seems simple Shrien Dewani, a young British businessman on honeymoon in Cape Town, arranges the murder of his newlywed bride in a clumsy hijacking. But a closer examination of the crime reveals some uncomfortable truths. Over four years - from the moment he interviewed Shrien Dewani just two days after Anni's death, to the eve of the Briton's 2014 murder trial - Newling has painstakingly pieced together the many pieces of this puzzle. Containing facts hitherto unpublished, interviews with witnesses until now unheard from, and the fruits of deep journalistic research into the South Africa's criminal justice system, Bitter Dawn lifts the lid on a crime far more complex than the media has so far assumed. While it may be difficult to find anyone who believes Shrien Dewani to be innocent, the facts Newling has uncovered provide compelling reasons to question the establishment story. Bitter Dawn is a gripping work of investigative journalism which reveals some worrying truths, not only about a bloody murder, but about its investigation, South African politics, global media ethics and how we all, as news-consumers, respond to stories when boundaries between right and wrong, between innocent and guilty, and between truth and lies, become blurred.

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2014

Reviews

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the South African court of public opinion most found Shrien Dewani undoubtedly guilty. I must confess that I too believed this to be a clear case of uxoricide.

The book explores questions of guilt, police competency over the handling of the investigation, flaws in the judicial system, and the infamous Bheki Cele. The author asks the reader to consider whether the investigators might have botched the investigation in an effort to safeguard the country’s reputation during the 2010 World Cup, by so introducing the ‘conspiracy’ (assassination) theory conducted by high level officials with the likes of Cele.

What really struck me was the way in which the author linked the country’s past- riddled in oppression and violence- to the birth of various conspiracy theories.

The evidence I believe, is well presented. Furthermore, Newling makes a stunning case for the rethinking and reframing of the judicial system with a particular focus on the issue of plea bargaining (under Section 105a) and its role in ensuring due diligence in such a short period of time, and whether it ensures all guilty parties are held accountable.

But did he do it? Could Shrien have orchestrated Anni’s murder in such a short span of time? Newling painted a profile of a diligent, careful, analytical man. However Shrien was also portrayed as being careless and cunning at times. There exists a duality to his personality.

Albeit biased at times, the book accomplishes what it sets out to do; casting doubts whether the prosecution’s theory holds up with the evidence available.

Did he do it?

I don’t know.

[Ntombezinhle Nzama · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well researched book on Anni Dewani's murder. I enjoyed reading it and got more insight into the case. The book ends just after Shrien Dewani is expatriated back into South Africa. I found, though, that towards the end of the book the author tries to persuade the reader into seeing Shrien Dewani as a victim. Its a good read nonetheless.

[Alan Menachemson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conspiracies make things less boring, give meaning to anguish and reinforce our mistrust of the "other"
BTW everyone i told about this book rejected the "non conspiracy" version vehemently