Pretoria - British murder accused Shrien Dewani has landed at Cape Town International Airport, just after 9.30am, from London.
According to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga, Dewani will be immediately escorted to the Western Cape High Court, where he is expected to appear for the first time in a South African court of law at 11:30am.
There he will be formally charged and processed by the investigating team.
He will be charged with murder and is expected to face charges relating to conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice. Dewani is accused of orchestrating the murder of his wife, Anni, while on honeymoon in November 2010. He claims he and his wife were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu, and that he was released unharmed.
Dewani arrived in the country today on a chartered flight procured by the department.
Mhaga said the use of the private aircraft was informed by Dewani’s peculiar medical condition, which needs to be monitored. The use of a commercial flight, Mhaga said, had the potential to compromise Dewani and that could have an adverse effect on the pending medical examination.
“We took into account the fact that there was undisputed evidence during the extradition hearing that he had displayed suicidal tendencies and the South African government did not want to take chances.
“There was a need to ensure that Dewani and the whole team are secure, and that would have been difficult on a commercial flight with many passengers, which had the potential to compromise their security, as his identity is now well known,” said Mhaga.
Dewani has been fighting removal from the UK on the grounds of mental health problems, including severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Before the trial, Dewani will first undergo a psychiatric assessment to determine if he is fit to stand trial.
If he is not fit to stand trial within 18 months, he will be returned to the UK, as agreed by the British and South African authorities.
In view of his medical condition, Mhaga said Dewani will be accompanied by a medical doctor, a nurse and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“This is informed by the fact that he is currently a patient and suspect who is in police custody and may need medical assistance en-route to the country.”
Three men are already serving lengthy jail sentences for their part in the killing. - SAnews.gov.za
