Dewani allegedly threatened hospital staff

Friday, April 15, 2011

Pretoria - Honeymoon murder accused Shrien Dewani allegedly threatened staff at a hospital where he was being treated, resulting in them requesting that he be removed from the facility.

According to media reports, details of the incident at The Priory hospital emerged in court on Thursday, where Dewani's bail was renewed.

Dewani is accused of arranging the murder of his wife Anni, while the couple was on honeymoon in South Africa in November last year.

He is out on bail in the UK while extradition proceedings are underway.

On Thursday, the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that police were called to the hospital after Dewani threatened to punch a staff member.

According to a statement from a nurse, Dewani had shouted at staff and became aggressive towards them, the British broadcaster reported.

Following the incident at the The Priory, Dewani, who is apparently suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, was transferred to Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke - a low secure mental health hospital.

Dewani's extradition hearing is expected to get underway next month.

South African authorities are requesting that he be brought back to South Africa to stand trial on charges related to Anni's murder.

Dewani claimed the couple was hijacked while they were driving through Khayelitsha and that he was forced out of the vehicle.

Anni's body was found in the abandoned vehicle the next day. She had been shot. 

Dewani returned to the UK shortly after his wife's death and was arrested thereafter. 
Zola Tongo, the man who chauffeured the couple, claimed in court that Dewani gave him R15 000 as payment to kill Anni.

Tongo was sentenced to an effective 18 years imprisonment for his role in the crime. - BuaNews