AUTHORITIES in South Africa claim they have a new witness who will prove crucial in their case against murder suspect Shrien Dewani as they attempt to extradite him.
Dewani, who is accused of murdering his wife, Anni, of just weeks while on honeymoon in the country in November, is protesting his innocence and is fighting the attempt to extradite him.
An extradition hearing opened today at Belmarsh Magistrates Court and is expected to be conducted in two stages with the final one allowing for psychiatric reports. The 31-year-old Bristol- based businessman remains in a secure mental facility and is being treated for post traumatic stress and depression.
Hugo Keith QC for the South African authorities told the court that an unnamed witness had spoken to Mr Dewani and claimed that the groom who was engaged at the time of speaking in September, was trying “to get out of his marriage”.
"He (Dewani) said although she was a nice, lovely girl who he liked, he could not break out of the engagement because he would be disowned by his family,” claimed Keith.
Keith added: “He went on to say to the witness he needed to find a way out of it."
He also said that South African Judge Deon Van Zwl would give evidence on behalf of the authorities in South Africa.
He would argue that Mr Dewani would be treated fairly and appropriately, should he be successfully extradited and that any such fears of an unfair trial could be allayed.
Clare Montgomery QC for Mr Dewani said her client was innocent and claimed he would not receive a fair trial in South Africa.
A number of press stories have appeared implying that Mr Dewani was behind the murder but little has emerged in the way of evidence, his family have argued.
Ms Montgomery told the court her client wanted to focus on getting better and still needed specialist medical attention.
She explained that Mr Dewani remained severely traumatised by the murder of his wife.
She said: “It is part of the process of re-integration (back into society). He is not going to go off on a jolly.”
Shrien Dewani attended the hearing on Tuesday. He rarely lifted his head during proceedings and was largely emotionless. Anni's family, who are based in Sweden, were also in the court and looked shocked when details of the case emerged as Mr Keith outlined his arguments.
The Dewanis took a pleasure drive near Cape Town after dinner on November (13) and were hijacked by two robbers who shot Anni after forcing the driver and Mr Dewani out of the car earlier. Driver, Zola Tonga, admitted to a plot and implicated Mr Dewani in a plea bargain. He is serving 18 years in jail. The two robbers, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 25, and Xolile Mngeni, 23 remain in custody and have yet to appear before a court.
