Dewani en route to SA
The murder accused will land in SA from the UK at 9am today and head to the WC High Court.
- Anni Dewani
- Shrien Dewani
- Dewani murder trial
- Dewani
- Western Cape High Court
- Dewani extradition
- Justice Department
- Dewani loses extradition appeal
- Western Cape High court in Cape Town
- Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe
- Cape Judge President John Hlophe
- Western Cape Justice Department
- John Hlope
CAPE TOWN - The Justice Department said it doesn't expect any delays in honeymoon murder accused Shrien Dewani's first court appearance in South African today.
The 34-year-old businessman, who has vehemently denied orchestrating the murder of his wife Anni, is expected to enter the dock in the Western Cape High Court before midday.
Anni Dewani was shot dead during an alleged fake hijacking in Cape Town in 2010 during the couple's honeymoon.
Three other men are already serving lengthy jail terms for their roles in the murder.
The department's Mthunzi Mhaga said Dewani is scheduled to appear in courtroom one at 11:30 this morning.
"Indications are that at 11:30 there will be a court appearance, so we do not anticipate any delays. We do not foresee any hiccups."
Dewani is set to be processed and charged in the High Court, which is an unusual move, as suspected criminals are usually sent straight to a local police station.
Judge John Hlophe will be presiding over today's proceedings, which are expected to be brief.
While media won't be permitted to take photographs of Dewani before he makes his court appearance, Hlophe may decide otherwise during proceedings.
EXTRADITION
Dewani has been fighting his extradition for three years, but lost his latest appeal.
In a brief statement, but one of huge significance, a spokesperson at London Scotland Yard said, at approximately 8pm on Monday evening, Dewani was extradited from the United Kingdom to South Africa.
The multibillionaire businessman was taken from a secure mental health unit in Bristol to the airport by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service Extradition Unit.
Officers were met at the airport by representatives from the South African authorities who are escorting him on the flight to Cape Town.
Anni Dewani's final footsteps.
