Johannesburg -
Shrien Dewani is set to make his second appearance in the Cape High Court on Monday, charged with the murder of his wife, Anni, during their honeymoon in Cape Town in November 2010.
Monday's court proceedings are expected to take the form of a pre-trial conference to determine if the prosecution and State are ready to go to trial.
Dewani is charged with murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice. He made his first appearance in the high court on April 8.
On Sunday, reports emerged that “Europe's leading S&M (sadomasochism) escort”, German-born Leopold Leisser, would take the witness stand when the trial begins, the Sunday Times reported.
In 2012, a British newspaper (the Daily Star) reported that Leisser had told police that during an encounter with Dewani, the Bristol businessman told him he needed to “find a way out of getting married” and would be “disowned” by his family if he attempted to break off his engagement.
Dewani fought a three-year battle to avoid being extradited from the UK to South Africa. Since his arrival, he has been in the Valkenberg state psychiatric hospital receiving treatment for apparent depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The couple were kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through Gugulethu in a taxi during their honeymoon. Dewani was released unharmed, but Anni was shot dead.
While prosecutors allege Dewani hired Xolile Mngeni to kill his wife, Dewani has denied any involvement.
Mngeni and two other accomplices are already serving jail terms in connection with the crime. - Sapa