Dewani is bisexual, court told

British businessman Shrien Dewani is bisexual and has had sexual interactions with both men and women, the Western Cape High Court heard on Monday.

"My sexual interactions with males were mostly physical experiences or e-mail chats with people I met online or in clubs," his lawyer Francois van Zyl said, reading Dewani's plea explanation to the court.

"My sexual interactions with females were usually during the course of a relationship which consisted of other activities and emotional attachment."

Dewani on Monday pleaded not guilty to killing his wife Anni in Cape Town in 2010, and other related charges.

Dressed in a black suit, tie and white shirt, he stood in the dock and looked down at prosecutor Adrian Mopp as Mopp read out the charges in a clear, loud voice.

Dewani seemed calm, cocked his head slightly to listen and made fists with his hands. At times, he frowned slightly or looked away to the side.

He met Anni Hindocha on May 30, 2009 after a mutual friend gave him her contact details.

In his plea explanation, he said he was instantly physically attracted to her on their first date, loved her bubbly personality and sensed there was mutual chemistry.

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.

Both the families of Dewani and his slain wife were in attendance, sitting on opposite ends of courtroom two.

 

 

 

(File photo: Gallo images)