Family hope over Dewani health
The family of a bride murdered on her honeymoon have expressed their hope that suspect bridegroom Shrien Dewani will "get better" and be well enough to stand trial in South Africa so that they can learn "the truth" about the killing.
They were speaking after the High Court temporarily halted the British businessman's extradition because of the poor state of his mental health. His case will now be remitted back to Westminster Magistrates Court.
The family of Shrien Dewani, 32. who is accused of arranging the contract killing of wife Anni in Cape Town in November 2010 during their honeymoon, say he is "determined" to go back and clear his name and "seek justice" for his late wife.
The care home owner from Bristol strenuously denies any wrongdoing. He has been diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and severe depression and his lawyers argue that his health and life will be at risk if he is extradited.
Two High Court judges in London rejected claims that he should not be extradited on human rights grounds but said it would be "unjust and oppressive" to order his removal at present.
Although temporarily blocking extradition, Sir John Thomas, the president of the Queen's Bench Division, and Mr Justice Ouseley, said it was plainly in the interests of justice that Dewani should be extradited "as soon as he is fit" to be tried.
Dewani's relatives welcomed the ruling, saying: "Shrien is innocent and is determined to return to South Africa to clear his name and seek justice for his wife Anni."
Ami Denborg, elder sister of the murdered bride, said she wanted Shrien to "get better" so he could travel to South Africa,
Speaking on behalf of the many family members who attended court, she said: "It would be oppressive to send him back if his health is not good, but we are happy as a family to hear that the court has decided that it is in the interests of justice that he will go back to South Africa."
Mrs Dewani, 28, from Sweden, was shot when a taxi the couple were in was hijacked in the Gugulethu township on the outskirts of Cape Town. Taxi driver Zola Tongo, who has admitted his part in the crime, claimed in a plea agreement with prosecutors that Dewani ordered the carjacking and paid for a hit on his wife.
