UK/FILE: Lawyers for British man accused of murdering his wife on honeymoon in South Africa intend to appeal court decision to extradite him for trial

Record ID: 862010

  • Title: UK/FILE: Lawyers for British man accused of murdering his wife on honeymoon in South Africa intend to appeal court decision to extradite him for trial
  • Date: 24th July 2013
  • Summary: GUGULETHU, SOUTH AFRICA (FILE) (REUTERS) HOMES AND CAR IN DISTANCE CARS AND PEOPLE ON ROAD ROAD SIGN SHOWING GUGULETHU CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (FILE - 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ACCUSED TAXI DRIVER IN COURT
  • Embargoed: 8th August 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • City:
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: People
  • Reuters ID: LVA8OKJ0E6LMKA1N4T9LP45FJD0A
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  • Story Text: A British businessman accused of arranging for his wife to be murdered while they were on honeymoon in Cape Town can be extradited to face trial in South Africa, a court ruled on Wednesday (July 24).
    Millionaire Shrien Dewani, 33, is accused of conspiring to kill his wife, Anni, who was shot in November 2010 when the taxi the couple were travelling in was hijacked in the Gugulethu township on the outskirts of Cape Town.
    Since returning to Britain, Dewani has fought extradition proceedings, arguing that he is suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and is too unwell to be sent to South Africa for trial.
    Howard Riddle, chief magistrate at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, said in his ruling that while it may be a long time before Dewani is fit to plead, he may be closer to that point.
    Dewani still has a chance to appeal again against his extradition and his legal team must lodge an application within 14 days.
    Anni Dewani was found dead in the back of the abandoned cab with a bullet wound to her neck after cabbie Zola Tongo drove the newlyweds to the township.
    Speaking outside the courton Wednesday, Anni Dewani's sister Ami Denbourg said the family was satisfied with the Magistrate's extradition ruling, but they will not feel relief until their questions have been answered.
    Anni Dewani's father Vinod Hindocha appeared to wipe away a tear as he left the court with his family.
    He said he needs to know why his daughter was killed.
    Shrien Dewani claims the vehicle was carjacked and that he and Tongo were forced out of the car unharmed before Mrs Dewani was driven away and killed.
    However, Tongo turned state witness and, in return for a reduced sentence, alleged that Dewani paid 15,000 rand ($1,500) for his wife to be killed.
    He was jailed for 18 years and another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, also pleaded guilty to murder and was handed a 25-year prison sentence.
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