GUGULETU, South Africa  The Honeymoon Murder, as the crime is often called, has proved to be more than a riveting whodunit. South Africa’s honor seems on the line, as is the dignity of Guguletu, this crime-bedeviled township near Cape Town where the abduction happened.

Last month, Shrien Dewani, a wealthy young businessman from Britain, brought his new wife, Anni, to this country. They first stayed at a luxury game resort, escorted by guides through the bush and pampered with comforts by private butlers. They moved on to Cape Town, staying at a boutique hotel and spa with glorious views of the waterfront.

Then, on Nov. 13, their chauffeur rather curiously took them for a precarious nighttime drive through Guguletu, where two men forced their way into the vehicle. Shrien and the driver were eventually pushed from the car. Anni was later found dead in the back seat, shot once in the neck.