A businessman accused of arranging the honeymoon murder of his new bride needs up to a year to recover from stress and depression before he will be fit to be extradited, a court has heard.
Shrien Dewani's lawyer said he was still mentally unfit to be sent to South Africa where he is to stand trial for the contract killing of his wife, Anni.
Clare Montgomery QC said the case hung over Dewani "like the Sword of Damocles", but he was a suicide risk and not well enough to plead to charges of murder, robbery and obstructing justice.
She said he needed "a period of calm".
South African police said Dewani hired three local men to kill Anni, 28, during their honeymoon in Cape Town in November, 2010.
Dewani told detectives that their taxi was hijacked and he was thrown out unharmed before his wife was driven off. She was later found shot dead.
Shrien Dewani with Anni, who was killed in 2010 Last year, chief magistrate Howard Riddle approved Dewani's extradition and it was confirmed by the Home Secretary.
But in March the Appeal Court ruled that Mr Riddle should reconsider his decision with more examination of Dewani's mental health issues.
The Appeal Court said the extradition should go ahead "in the interests of justice", but only when Dewani was mentally fit.
The businessman, who runs a care home near Bristol, is currently detained compulsorily under the Mental Health Act. He denies all charges.
The latest hearing was adjourned until September 18, when the court expects to hear evidence from another psychiatrist who plans to assess Dewani next month.
Prosecutor Hugo Keith QC, on behalf of the South African government, said a psychiatrist who had already examined Dewani had said he no longer wanted to be involved in the case.
The chief magistrate said he wanted more evidence of Mr Dewani's likely speed of recovery before setting a new date for the extradition hearing.
