Euthenasia activist Sean Davison faces a charge of premediated murder for assisting in the death of a friend left paraplegic after a car accident.
Davison, 57, who was arrested yesterday (Wednesday) has indicated to the Cape Town court, through his lawyer, that he intends pleading not guilty.
The State did not oppose bail of 1,170 euros for Davison who came to prominence in 2011 after assisting his mother’s death in New Zealand by giving her morphine.
He served a five-month period of house arrest in New Zealand.
Davison, who founded Dignity SA, is charged with the murder of paraplegic Dr Anrich Burger in Sea Point five years ago.
He is due back in court on November 16.
Prosecutor Megan Blow told the court new information had come to light indicating that Davison has committed other similar offenses of assisted suicides.
Dignity SA co-founder Willem Landman said serious crimes squad detectives had searched Davison house and seized is laptop and mobile phone.
Euthenasia is illegal in South Africa.
Two years ago the state appealed a High Court ruling granting a man the right to a medically assisted death.
The Appeal Court overturned that judgment that could have opened the way to assisted suicides.