Pretoria – Shrien Dewani has lost his appeal to avoid extradition from the UK to stand trial in South Africa for the murder of his wife Anni.
A panel of three judges, headed by Chief Justice Lord Thomas, have ruled against the extradition appeal.
There have been outstanding legal issues where the court had to decide whether or not the case could be reopened to discuss his status as an accused person and whether it would be unjust to extradite him.
Dewani is accused of masterminding his 28-year-old wife’s murder in an alleged staged hijacking in Cape Town in November 2010.
He is currently being treated for depression and severe post-traumatic stress disorder. He denies being involved in his wife’s murder, and has appeared several times in a UK court to challenge his extradition on the grounds of poor mental health.
Three men are already serving lengthy jail sentences for their part in the killing.
Xolile Mngeni was sentenced to life imprisonment in December. Mngeni was convicted of robbery with aggravating circumstances, premeditated murder and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Mziwamadoda Qwabe and Zola Tongo were sentenced to 25 years and 18 years respectively for their part in the crime. – SAnews.gov.za
