Dewani arrives home in UK - Sky News Australia

Updated: 02:31, Sunday December 12, 2010

The man accused of paying a taxi driver to murder his wife on their honeymoon in South Africa will report to police after being released on bail.

Wealthy businessman Shrien Dewani returned home on Friday night after his family paid STG250,000 (AUD$387,100) in bail and he was released from Wandsworth Prison in London.

The move came despite prosecutors telling the High Court there was significant new evidence demonstrating a 'very powerful' case against him.

Dewani is wanted by South African police for conspiracy to murder his new wife Anni, 28,who was found shot dead in an abandoned taxi in Cape Town on November 13.

Prosecutor Ben Watson told the court 'the net was closing in' and Dewani should not be granted bail 'even on the most stringent conditions'.

Dewani, from Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, faces electronic tagging, home curfew and having to report daily to the police pending further extradition hearings.

His family welcomed the bail decision, saying in a joint statement: 'We are all delighted that the courts have consistently upheld Shrien Dewani's right to bail.'

Dewani was arrested this week after the South African authorities issued a warrant as the first stage in seeking his extradition.

They took the step after taxi driver Zola Tongo accused him of offering to pay 15,000 rand (AUD$2167) for his wife's murder and ordering it to appear like a bungled carjacking as they drove through the notorious township of Gugulethu.

Tongo's allegation formed part of a plea agreement drawn up with prosecutors at Western Cape High Court in South Africa, where he was jailed for 18 years earlier this week for his part in the killing.