Report: Dewani extradition to resume

2012-07-02 07:36

Shrien Dewani (Dominic Lipinski , AP)

Cape Town - Extradition proceedings against Shrien Dewani are expected to resume later this month in the United Kingdom, it was reported on Monday.

Western Cape director of public prosecutions Rodney De Kock told the Cape Times that the parties involved were trying to fix a date for Dewani's hearing at the end of the month.

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.

The possible extradition hearing would coincide with the start of trial for co-accused Xolile Mngeni and Mziwamadoda Qwabe, on July 30.

Mngeni and 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.

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