Anni Dewani's sister reacts (AUDIO)

Anni Dewani's sister reacts (AUDIO)

Anni Dewani's sister, Ami Denborg reacts after judge rules Shrien should be extradited to South Africa.

annie dewanie sister_1.jpg

Anni Dewani's sister, Ami Denborg reacts after judge rules Shrien should be extradited to South Africa.

Shrien Dewani will be extradited to South Africa to face charges of orchestrating his wife's murder, a court has ruled.

However, the 33-year-old's lawyers have said they intend to appeal against the decision.

Dewani was seeking to delay his extradition on account of his mental health.

Speaking outside the court, Ami Denborg, Anni Dewani's sister, said it was "one step in the right direction" and that her family hoped he would be sent to South Africa "very soon".

She said the legal process was still a big strain on her family.

"We've been struggling every day. Look at my mum, look at my dad - you can see on their faces," Ms Denborg told reporters.

She added: "We don't want to forget Anni in this. For us, this is still all about Anni.

"It's all about finding out out what happened to her and we will fight this battle to the end."

Anni Dewani, 28, was shot dead on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010 while the couple were on honeymoon.

Her husband, who has depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, strongly denies any involvement in his wife’s murder.

His risk of suicide is real but not immediate, and while he remains moderately depressed he is better than he was, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

His lawyers had expressed concerns he would be a high suicide risk if he returned to the country, and his human rights could be breached because of the risk of violent and sexual assaults in jail, and of contracting HIV.

Despite the extradition, Dewani may not be fit to enter a plea for some time and so a trial could be some way off.

Newlywed Mrs Dewani was shot when a taxi in which the couple were travelling was hijacked in the Gugulethu township.

Mr Dewani and driver Zola Tongo were ejected from the car before Mrs Dewani was driven away and killed.

She was found dead in the back of the abandoned vehicle with a bullet wound to her neck.

Last year, South African Xolile Mngeni was convicted of premeditated murder for shooting Mrs Dewani.

Prosecutors claimed he was a hit-man hired by Shrien Dewani to kill his new wife, something that Dewani has consistently denied.

Tongo was jailed for 18 years after he admitted his part in the crime, and another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, also pleaded guilty to charges over the murder and was handed a 25-year prison sentence.

South African authorities have welcomed the extradition decision.

"We are very excited about it," said Bulelwa Makeke, from the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa.

"We have worked very hard to convince the UK authorities that the South African justice system is fair.

"He (Dewani) will face a fair trial. Any health concerns will be also be taken care of appropriately."

- Sky News

Show's Stories