Dewani extradition hearing set down

Honeymoon murder accused Shrien Dewani.

Honeymoon murder accused Shrien Dewani.

Published Jul 23, 2012

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 Extradition proceedings against Shrien Dewani will resume on July 31 in the UK, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Monday.

Western Cape NPA spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said the hearing would take place at the Westminster Crown Court.

“It is a continuation of the earlier ruling which said that Dewani cannot be extradited until his condition has improved,” he said.

“The Westminster Crown Court asked Judge Riddle to monitor Dewani’s status so as to make a determination whether he was ready to be extradited.”

Dewani has repeatedly denied arranging the contract killing of his 28-year-old wife, who was shot in an apparent car hijacking while on their honeymoon in Cape Town in November 2010.

In March, Britain's High Court temporarily halted Dewani's extradition on mental health grounds, saying it would be “unjust and oppressive”.

At the time, the court said he would be extradited to South Africa as soon as he was fit. Dewani is being treated in a mental health hospital in his hometown of Bristol, western England.

Two men accused of taking part in the killing would go on trial a day before Dewani's hearing, on July 30.

Xolile Mngeni and Mziwamadoda Qwabe face charges of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, and two counts relating to the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. They remain in custody.

Ntabazalila said a final pre-trial conference had been set down for Wednesday.

In earlier proceedings, the remaining accused, Zola Tonga, was jailed for 18 years for his part in the murder, in terms of a plea bargain. – Sapa

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