Requesting: South AfricaRequested: United Kingdom

Shrien Dewani: extradition case and outcome

South Africa sought Shrien Dewani from the United Kingdom over the killing of his wife Anni Dewani in Cape Town in November 2010. He was surrendered to South Africa and stood trial in the Western Cape High Court. On 8 December 2014 Judge Jeanette Traverso granted his application for discharge at the close of the prosecution case and found him not guilty on all charges.

Extradited He was surrendered by the United Kingdom to South Africa and stood trial in Cape Town in 2014 (see editor notes on dates).¹

Charges as alleged. South African prosecutors charged him with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, the murder of his wife Anni Dewani, and obstructing the administration of justice, according to the High Court judgment.¹

Charges are allegations unless a court has convicted. Each record states what each court or minister decided and the person's public response.

Decisions

8 December 2014High Court of South Africa, Western Cape Division (Traverso DJP)Granted his application under section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act and ordered that "The accused is found not guilty and discharged."^1,2

What happened next

Found not guilty and discharged on all counts on 8 December 2014, at the close of the prosecution case.^1,2

Response

He applied for discharge at the close of the State's case, arguing that the evidence did not implicate him. No direct public statement by him was read for this record.¹

Legal points

The court found the key prosecution witness's evidence to be of very poor quality and said "Reliable corroboration is required".¹

Sources

High Court of South Africa, Western Cape Division (via SAFLII), S v Dewani (CC15/2014) [2014] ZAWCHC 188 (8 December 2014)
Politicsweb (judgment text), Why Shrien Dewani can go free: Judge Jeanette Traverso (10 December 2014)