Honeymoon Murder Suspect Shrien Dewani Faces Trial in South Africa

Shrien Dewani, the Bristol businessman accused of plotting the murder of his wife Anni as they honeymooned in South Africa in 2010, is to be extradited on 7 April. Dewani's murder trial will begin the following day.

Earlier this month Dewani lost an appeal against his extradition at the high court, where judges rejected his plea not to be sent to South Africa due to mental health problems, including depression and post-traumatic stress. Dewani is detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act.

28-year-old Swedish national Anni Dewani died when the taxi they were travelling in was hijacked as it passed through Gugulethu, a notorious suburb of Cape Town, on the fourth day of their honeymoon. She was allegedly dragged from the car and shot in the neck. Shrien Dewani was unharmed.

Xolile Mngeni received a life sentence in court in Cape Town REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham

South African Xolile Mngeni was convicted of Anni's premeditated murder. Accomplice Mziwamadoda Qwabe received 25 years for murder. The taxi driver, Zola Tongo, received 18 years for his part in the killing. Prosecutors allege Dewani arranged for the men to kill his wife – a claim he strongly denies.

A recent BBC Panorama appeared to find holes in the case against Dewani and Dewani's family claim he will not face a fair trial in South Africa.

The South African police faced criticism when national police commissioner General Bheki Cele said of the case: "A monkey came all the way from London to have his wife murdered here. Shrien thought we South Africans were stupid when he came all the way to kill his wife in our country. He lied to himself."

We need answers. We hope to get justice

Anni Dewani's father Vinod Hindocha

Cele faced widespread condemnation in South Africa for making the comments. He was later fired for corruption.

Speaking after Dewani lost his High Court appeal, Anni's father Vinod Hindocha expressed relief, saying the legal process had been torture for the family:

"We are quite happy with the decision and we hope to get the answers that we have been seeking for the past three-and-a-half years. I really don't know what happened to my daughter. We need answers. We hope to get justice."