Shrien Dewani is accused of murder of his wife Anni while on honeymoon in Cape Town. Image: Supplied
Dewani’s health ‘improved’ but trial postponed
Judge President John Hlophe adjourns the case against murder accused Shrein Dewani and orders that he remain in Valkenberg psychiatric hospital in Cape Town
Shrien Dewani is accused of murder of his wife Anni while on honeymoon in Cape Town. Image: Supplied
Shrien Dewani’s condition has improved since being extradited to South Africa but he will continue treatment in hospital and the case against him will be adjourned until 20 June. The court decided this week that, although the trial was set to start already, he is not mentally equipped to stand trial yet.
Dewani is being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder and severe depression which involves suicidal tendencies; his treatment has been ongoing for the past three years.
The Bristol born businessman stands accused of commissioning three men from Cape Town to murder his wife during their honeymoon in November 2010.
During pre-trial at Western Cape High Court Dewani’s Lawyer, Francois van Zyl, suggested that although his condition had improved the case should be postponed until 20 June.
Judge President John Hlophe agreed to adjourn the case and ordered Dewani continue receiving treatment in Valkenberg psychiatric hospital in Cape Town, where he has been treated since his extradition to South Africa last month.
On Monday in court, Dewani’s lawyer said: “I am informed that he has been fully cooperative and that his condition has improved. We have been told by treating psychiatrists not to consult with him for longer than 30 minutes at a time.”
Van Zyl has expressed his hope that during the postponement Dewani should be able to improve enough to instruct them ‘properly’.
Dewani claims that he and his wife were victims of a kidnapping at gunpoint while travelling in a taxi through Gugulethu in Cape Town. He was released from the car unharmed but his wife, Anni Dewani, was found dead the next day. She had been shot in the neck and was found in the same vehicle in a nearby township.
It is the South African prosecution’s case that Dewani colluded with Cape Town residents Zola Tongo, Mziwamadoda Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni to kill his wife. He is charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice.
Tongo, Qwabe and Mngeni are already serving prison sentences for their participation in the murder. All three men claim that Dewani commissioned the murder of his wife.
Dewani was extradited to South Africa on 8 April after 3 years of attempting to defer his trial and battling against the extradition in Britain. He was first seen in court on the same day regarding the case.
Dewani has not been requested to plead yet.
