Shrien Dewani described himself as a ‘single gay man’ on gay dating site
Millionaire Shrien Dewani, who is currently on trial in South Africa in connection with the murder of his wife, described himself as a “single gay man”, on dating website Gaydar.
Care home owner Dewani was in 2011 extradited from the UK to face trial for conspiracy to commit kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice. Prior to that, he was treated in hospital for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
He last Monday appeared for the first time at Western Cape High Court, as reporters described a passionate opening statement by the defence, and admitted having had sex with men for the first time, saying he identified as bisexual.
Despite that, he previously described himself as “gay” on the site, despite there being an option for “bisexual”, but said that he was not out.
Simon Johnson, the former digital product manager for Gaydar told the court from the UK that Dewani chose those options.
The trial is expected to last two months.
On Wednesday, one of two men already convicted of killing Anni Dewani told the court that he was hired by Shrien Dewani.
The court last week heard Dewani’s account of the events leading up to his wife’s death. He said they were held at gunpoint by two men who made taxi driver Zola Tongo get out of the car. He said he was then forced to climb out of the car window, and the men sped off with his wife, before she was found dead a day later.
Leopold Leisser,a German male prostitute who is based in the UK, has also alleged that Dewani paid him for sex on several occasions, and in previous testimony said Dewani told him he “needed to find a way out” of the marriage.
Dewani has always denied paying three men to kill Anni following their £200,000 Mumbai wedding. Prosecutors argue that he conspired with Zola Tongo, Mziwamadoda Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni, in a plan to murder Mrs Dewani.
The three are already serving jail terms in connection with the murder.
Tongo was originally sentenced to 18 years in jail for his part in the death. His sentence was reduced from 25 years after he implicated the British businessman in the killing.
Jeanette Traverso, a senior judge will be responsible for Dewani’s sentencing. There is no jury system in South Africa. Dewani told Judge Traverso: “I plead not guilty to all five counts, my lady.”
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