Prakash Dewani, father of British businessman Shrien Dewani, and brother Preyen Dewani are seen with relatives and part of the legal team in Cape Town on Friday.
AFP
A British millionaire businessman suspected of the 2010 honeymoon murder of his wife in South Africa is fit to stand trial, a Cape Town court ruled on Friday.
The trial of Shrien Dewani, who was extradited from Britain in April, will begin on October 6, Judge John Hlophe ruled after receiving an expert assessment which stated Dewani was not mentally ill.
"The draft handed in by the state is hereby made an order of the court," the judge said.
Dewani, 34, is accused of hiring three South Africans to kill his 28-year-old Swedish bride Anni in Cape Town in November 2010.
He denies the charge, claiming the pair were hijacked at gunpoint during their honeymoon as they drove through the Gugulethu township in a taxi.
Dewani escaped unharmed, but his wife's body was found in the abandoned car the next day. She had been shot dead.
Three South Africans have been tried and convicted for their role in Anni's death.
The case sparked outrage among South Africans who accuse Dewani of callously using the country's reputation for violent crime to murder his wife in the belief that he would get away with it.
The prosecution is expected to argue that Dewani is gay and plotted to have his wife killed to escape an arranged marriage that he was pushed into by his family.
Dewani, who had returned to Britain, fought extradition for three years but was ultimately sent back to South Africa to answer the charges.
He was extradited in April on the understanding that if he was not found fit to face trial within 18 months, he would be returned to Britain.
Prosecutor Rodney de Kok read from the report: "The accused is not mentally ill. He is not certifiable in terms of the Mental Health Act."
"The accused is fit to stand trial in terms of the act," it said, allowing Hlophe to confirm the trial date and set a date for a pre-trial hearing.
A greying Dewani, wearing a dark suit and tie, stood calmly with his arms at his side during the proceedings.
His father, mother and family sat in the benches in front of him.
Members of the family smiled at a joke made by Hlophe when de Kok said he was standing down from the case and would be replaced by his colleague Adrian Mopp.
"So Mr Mopp is going to mop the trial," Hlophe said, causing soft laughter in the court.
The judge set the pre-trial hearing for September 9, before declaring "Take him down to the cells."
