''3 Years since she died and we’ve got nowhere'' – Anni’s family

Oct 22, 2013 | 8:55 PM |by SAPA

The next extradition hearing for Shrien Dewani should take place as soon as possible, Lord Chief Justice .

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A panel of three high court judges, headed by Thomas, ruled that there were outstanding legal issues the court had to decide, the British Press Associationreported.

Dewani - facing trial over his wife Anni's death - is fighting removal to South Africa until he has recovered from mental health problems, said to include depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

His lawyers have stressed at various hearings that he will be willing to defend himself at trial once he is fit to do so.

Thomas ruled that his case must be reopened to consider two key issues. The first related to Dewani's status as "an accused person". The second concerned whether it would be "unjust and oppressive" to extradite Dewani "regardless of the prognosis" of his mental condition.

Legal experts said the renewed hearing, which could lead to appeals all the way to the Supreme Court, could delay any possibility of Dewani being extradited for months, if not years.

Outside court, Anni's sister Ami Denborg said: "We've been waiting patiently for three years and today there is another delay in this case. We don't really understand why there are all these delays.

"We really want this case to move on. We want this to go to South Africa now because this is taking a toll on the family. It's hard for us to move on with our lives."

Her brother Anish Hindocha added: "We need closure. We can't bear it."

Denborg said: "It is up to Shrien's doctors to judge whether he is fit or not to stand trial, but he needs to go to South Africa and answer the questions raised against him. It doesn't help anyone, him not being able to answer anything.

"In November it will be three years since my sister died and we've gone nowhere."

In July, Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle ruled at the Westminster Magistrate's Court that Dewani should be extradited and rejected his attempt to stay in the UK for further hospital treatment.

He said Dewani, from Bristol, was still not fit to plead or stand trial at present, but there was evidence he would receive the care he needed in South Africa.

Judge Riddle had originally given the go-ahead to Dewani's extradition in 2011, but had to reconsider the position after the high court allowed his appeal in March last year.

Dewani is suspected of ordering the killing of his new wife Anni, 28, who was shot as the couple travelled in a taxi on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010.

So far three men have been convicted for Anni Dewani's death. Last year, South African Xolile Mngeni was convicted of premeditated murder for shooting her.

Prosecutors claimed he was a hitman hired by Dewani to kill his wife, something Dewani has consistently denied.

Taxi driver Zola Tongo was jailed for 18 years after he admitted his part in the killing. Another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, also pleaded guilty to murder and was handed a 25-year prison sentence.

Dewani's family has said that he remains committed to returning to South Africa, "when his health would permit a full trial and when appropriate protections are in place for his health and safety".

PS: This is what happens when you come to a country where the death penalty is abolished. South Africa is know for its high murder per day rate. It is a norm in this country. The judicial system allows it to happen regularly as the system has no respect for and places no value on life.