SA justice department welcomes Dewani extradition ruling

The Justice Department has reportedly welcomed the British High Court ruling that honeymoon murder suspect Shrien Dewani could be extradited to South Africa.

Spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said that the Republic of South Africa (RSA) initiated the extradition application in January 2011 and has consistently expressed its desire to have Dewani returned to stand trial.

According to News24, Dewani stands accused of ordering the killing of his wife Anni, 28, who was shot as the couple travelled in a taxi on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010.

Dewani has been fighting extradition to South Africa to stand trial until he has recovered from mental health problems, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mhaga said that South Africa had until 14 February to indicate its intention to provide this undertaking, and an authenticated copy of the undertaking needed to be received by the court by 21 February.

The British High Court held that the interests of justice required promptness and that there should be no further delay, on the proviso that Dewani was afforded proper protection.

Mhaga further said that Dewani still had the option to request the High Court's leave to appeal to the British Supreme Court within 14 days on the two legal issues related to the fitness of the person pleading guilty, apart from appealing to the European Court for Human Rights.

The report said that three men have already been sentenced for their roles in Anni Dewani's murder.