Dewani arrives in Cape Town

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Dewani case postponed - Sapa

The case against honeymoon murder-accused Shrien Dewani was postponed in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday.

"The State and defence have agreed that the matter will be postponed until 12 May and that the accused be remanded in custody," provincial director of public prosecutions Rodney de Kok told the court.

The State and defence had agreed that Dewani needed further care and treatment.

"We agreed then that Mr Dewani will be transferred in custody to the Valkenberg Hospital."

Francois van Zyl SC, for Dewani, said he agreed with May 12.

Judge John Hlophe said the exact terms of the order, in terms of mental health, would be drawn up.

Dewani, wearing a charcoal suit and black tie, appeared to be struggling to hear what was being said.

Hlophe confirmed the postponement date and Dewani was excused.

The British millionaire claimed he and his wife Anni were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu in Cape Town in a taxi in November 2010.

The couple had been on honeymoon in the country. He was released unharmed, but his wife's body was found in the abandoned car the next day. She had been shot dead.

Xolile Mngeni was convicted of the murder and jailed for life. Prosecutors allege Dewani hired him to kill his wife.

Two other alleged accomplices are also already serving jail terms in connection with the crime. Dewani has denied any part in the murder.

Dewani charter 'cost millions' - Sapa

Bringing honeymoon murder-accused Shrien Dewani to Cape Town to face trial has likely cost taxpayers millions of rands in flight costs.

Dewani arrived at Cape Town International Airport shortly after 9am on Tuesday morning in a private jet chartered by the justice department.

"He has been transported by a chartered plane from Bristol Airport in the United Kingdom to South Africa. The department of justice procured the chartered plane," spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said in a statement.

According to an aviation industry charter manager, who declined to be named, chartering a jet for the about 10,000km flight would have "cost millions of rands".

The basic costs of chartering such flights typically cost between R50 and R70 a kilometre, depending on the type of aircraft used. On top of this there were other expenses, including overflight fees and refuelling costs.

Asked on Tuesday if he could say what the cost of the charter had been, Mhaga responded: "Not at this stage."

In his earlier statement, he said among the reasons for using a private aircraft was that Dewani had previously shown suicidal tendencies.

"We took into account the fact that there was undisputed evidence during [the] extradition hearing that he had displayed suicidal tendencies and the South African government did not want to take chances.

"His peculiar medical condition needed to be monitored and the situation on a commercial fight had the potential to compromise it and that would have [an] adverse effect on the pending medical examination in a bid to get him to recover."

Mhaga said there was a need to ensure that Dewani and the team he travelled with -- including doctors, nurses and police -- were secure.

"...That would have been difficult on a commercial flight with many passengers. [It] had [the] potential to compromise their security as his identity is now well-known," he said.

"It was therefore paramount that his return to the country is hazard-free in order to ensure that he eventually makes the court appearance without hindrance."

Dewani's case was postponed in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday. He is expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Dewani claimed he and his wife Anni were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu in Cape Town in a taxi in November 2010.

The couple had been on honeymoon in the country. Dewani was set free unharmed, but his wife's body was found in the abandoned car the next day. She had been shot dead.

Xolile Mngeni was convicted of the murder and jailed for life. Prosecutors allege Dewani hired him to kill his wife.

Two other alleged accomplices are also already serving jail terms in connection with the crimes. Dewani has denied any part in the murder.

Dewani case begins - Sapa

The case against honeymoon murder-accused Shrien Dewani started around 12.30pm in the Western Cape High Court.

Francois van Zyl SC was representing him.

Judge John Hlophe told the court no-one was allowed to take pictures.

Dewani looked straight ahead. He had grey streaks in his hair.

Dewani's family arrives in court - Sapa

Family members of honeymoon murder-accused Shrien Dewani arrived in the Western Cape High Court shortly after noon on Tuesday.

Dewani's brother Preyen Dewani spoke to British Consulate representatives outside the courtroom.

"Members of the British Consulate in Cape Town are here to provide consular support to Shrien Dewani's family," said a consulate spokeswoman who did not want to be named.

"They [Dewani's family] have asked for the media to respect their privacy."

Dewani landed at Cape Town International Airport earlier on Tuesday on a private aircraft. When his case begins, he is expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Dewani claimed he and his wife Anni were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu in Cape Town in a taxi in November 2010.

The couple had been on honeymoon in the country. He was released unharmed, but his wife's body was found in the abandoned car the next day. She had been shot dead.

Xolile Mngeni was convicted of the murder and jailed for life. Prosecutors allege Dewani hired him to kill his wife. Two other alleged accomplices are also already serving jail terms in connection with the crime. Dewani has denied any part in the murder.

Dewani case delayed - Sapa

The case against honeymoon murder-accused Shrien Dewani was delayed in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday.

Proceedings would get under way at 12.30pm, National Prosecuting Authority provincial spokesman Eric Ntabazalila said.

Dewani, who arrived around 11.20am, was still being processed at the court, he said.

Dewani arrived at the court in a police convoy, consisting of marked and unmarked cars. He entered through a side court gate.

Dewani landed at Cape Town International Airport earlier on a private aircraft.

When he appears in court he is expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Dewani claimed he and his wife Anni were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu in Cape Town in a taxi in November 2010.

The couple had been on honeymoon in the country. He was released unharmed, but his wife's body was found in the abandoned car the next day. She had been shot dead.

Xolile Mngeni was convicted of the murder and jailed for life.

Prosecutors allege Dewani hired him to kill his wife. Two other alleged accomplices are also already serving jail terms in connection with the crime.

Dewani has denied any part in the murder.k

Dewani arrives in court - Sapa

Murder-accused Shrien Dewani arrived at the Western High Court at around 11.20am on Tuesday in a police convoy.

Marked and unmarked cars drove through a side gate of the court.

Dewani was in one of the vehicles but he could not be seen through the tinted windows.

Photographers were kept at a distance from the side entrance as it was cordoned off with police tape.

Curious onlookers also missed capturing a picture of Dewani with their cellphones.

Dewani landed at Cape Town International Airport earlier on Tuesday on a private aircraft.

When he appears in court he is expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Dewani claimed he and his wife Anni were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu in Cape Town in a taxi in November 2010.

The couple had been on honeymoon in the country. He was released unharmed, but his wife's body was found in the abandoned car the next day. She had been shot dead.

Xolile Mngeni was convicted of the murder and jailed for life.

Prosecutors allege Dewani hired him to kill his wife. Two other alleged accomplices are also already serving jail terms in connection with the crime. Dewani has denied any part in the murder.

ANCWL wants fair trial - Sapa

The ANC Women's League wants to ensure a fair trial against Shrien Dewani who is accused of involvement in the murder of his wife.

"We want the family of Anni [Dewani] to be happy about the outcome of the trial. We want a fair trial. We support particularly the family of Anni," said Bulelwa Tinto, a member of the league's provincial task team, at the Western Cape High Court where Dewani is due to appear on Tuesday.

"We've been following this case since it happened and we want to make sure due processes are followed... The court will do their processes and we don't want to hinder that."

Dewani landed at Cape Town International Airport earlier on Tuesday on a private aircraft.

When he appears in court he is expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Dewani claimed he and Anni were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu in Cape Town in a taxi in November 2010.

The couple had been on honeymoon in the country. He was released unharmed, but his wife's body was found in the abandoned car the next day. She had been shot dead.

Xolile Mngeni was convicted of the murder and jailed for life.

Prosecutors allege Dewani hired him to kill his wife. Two other alleged accomplices are also already serving jail terms in connection with the crime. Dewani has denied any part in the murder.

ANCWL members gathered at the court in support of Anni's family.

Tinto said six minibus taxis carrying around 60 to 90 more members would be arriving soon.

The league's Gugulethu chairwoman Zukiswa Malima said they were against people who harmed women.

"We are against people killing women and children."

The league members sang and danced outside the court.

Some held up pictures of Anni. Others held posters which read "Justice for Anni" and "Respect women tourists too!"

ANCWL gathers outside court - Sapa

Members of the ANC Women's League gathered outside the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday ahead of the arrival of honeymoon murder-accused Shrien Dewani.

"We are here because of this man who just came to our country to kill someone, his wife," claimed the league's Gugulethu chairwoman Zukiswa Malima.

"We are against people killing women and children."

The league members sang and danced outside the court.

Some held up pictures of Dewani's wife, Anni. Others held posters which read "Justice for Anni".

Dewani landed at Cape Town International Airport earlier on a private aircraft.

When he appears in court, he is expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Dewani claimed he and his wife were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu in Cape Town in a taxi in November 2010.

The couple had been on honeymoon in the country. He was released unharmed, but his wife's body was found in the abandoned car the next day. She had been shot dead.

Xolile Mngeni was convicted of the murder and jailed for life.

Prosecutors allege Dewani hired him to kill his wife. Two other alleged accomplices are also already serving jail terms in connection with the crime.

Dewani has denied any part in the murder.

Media told not to take pics - Sapa

Media were told they were not allowed to take pictures of honeymoon murder-accused Shrien Dewani at the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday ahead of his appearance.

A policeman addressed reporters and cameramen inside courtroom one and made it clear that all camera equipment should be removed at 10.45am.

The officer said the media were not allowed to take pictures as per order of the justice department.

On Monday, reporters were told they could apply to the court -- formally through lawyers -- to Judge President John Hlophe if they wanted to convince him otherwise.

Media24 has applied to Hlophe to film the whole proceeding, and were still awaiting an outcome. It was not clear if any other media group has applied.

Dewani landed at Cape International Airport earlier on a private aircraft.

When he appears in court, he is expected to be charged with conspiracy to commit murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Dewani claimed he and his wife Anni were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu in Cape Town in a taxi in November 2010.

The couple had been on honeymoon in the country. He was released unharmed, but his wife's body was found in the abandoned car the next day. She had been shot dead.

Xolile Mngeni was convicted of the murder and jailed for life.

Prosecutors allege Dewani hired him to kill his wife. Two other alleged accomplices are also already serving jail terms in connection with the crimes. Dewani has denied any part in the murder.

Dewani arrives in private plane - Sapa

"He arrived in the company of a medical doctor, nurse and members of SAPS and Interpol."

British businessman and honeymoon murder-accused Shrien Dewani arrived in Cape Town on Tuesday morning.

"Shrien Dewani has landed at Cape Town International Aiport and was received by members of the SA Police Service," the justice department said in a statement.

"He arrived in the company of a medical doctor, nurse and members of SAPS and Interpol."

 

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