Dewani pleaded not guilty to killing his wife Anni during their honeymoon in Cape Town in 2010, and other related charges, at the start of his trial in the Western Cape High Court on Monday.
Speaking from the dock, Dewani said he was “not guilty” of charges of murder, kidnapping and obstructing justice.
“I plead not guilty to all five counts,” he said in a clear voice.
Dewani, dressed in a black suit, tie and white shirt, stood in the dock and looked down at prosecutor Adrian Mopp.
He appeared generally calm, craning his head slightly to listen to proceedings and making fists with his hands. At times, he frowned slightly or looked away to the side.
Dewani is charged with murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and conspiracy to commit these crimes. He is also charged with defeating the ends of justice.
Deputy Judge President Jeannette Traverso sat with her arms crossed and looked at the indictment in front of her. She was flanked by two assessors.
Families
Both the families of Dewani and his dead wife were in attendance, sitting on opposite ends of the courtroom.
Shrien Dewani’s family, including his mother and father, seemed relatively calm and cheerful, chatting to his defence team and each other.
Around 40 people packed the benches in the overhead public gallery. They watched as journalists pushed and shoved through a narrow court door to secure a spot before proceedings got underway.
Two flat-screen television sets were set up in the front of the court. Two smaller screens were placed next to the prosecution and defence teams.
Dewani had his own flat-screen television fixed to the dock.
Opposing claims
Initially seen as a hijacking that ended in tragedy on November 13 2010, police later claimed they had evidence that Dewani had conspired with others to kill Anni.
Dewani claims the couple were hijacked as they were being driven through Gugulethu in Cape Town in a minibus taxi. He was released unharmed but Anni was driven away and later found shot dead in the abandoned minibus on November 14.
A series of delays played out over the next four years, punctuated by efforts to extradite Dewani to South Africa and consistent claims by his defence team that he was innocent, and mentally unfit to stand trial.
In the same period, three Capetonians stood trial for the murder and were jailed.
Driver Zola Tongo said in a plea bargain – following which he was jailed for 18 years – that Dewani had offered him R15 000 to have Anni killed.
Accomplices Mziwamadoda Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni – who shot Anni – were handed 25-year and life sentences respectively.
Dewani was eventually extradited in April this year and sent to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital. In mid-August, he was declared fit to stand trial after undergoing psychiatric observation.
He will remain at the hospital for the duration of the trial. Speaking at a press conference in Cape Town on Sunday evening, Anni’s father Vinod Hindocha said the family wanted to know the truth about her death.
“Now that I am here, all that I ask for is the full story and justice. It is now up to the South African justice system to obtain the full story of how my little daughter died.” – Sapa