The trial of Nico Henning, accused of masterminding the murder of his estranged wife Chanelle Henning, will take place from October 10 and run to the end without disruption.
|||
Pretoria -The trial of Nico Henning, accused of masterminding the murder of his estranged wife Chanelle Henning, will take place from October 10 and run to the end without disruption.
This is according to veteran prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who on Monday asked the high court in Pretoria to postpone the matter.
No reason was given for the delay, but Nel will next week lead the prosecution during sentencing procedures of disgraced athlete Oscar Pistorius.
Henning was arrested in 2014 for his wife’s November 2011 murder, after the two so-called middlemen André Gouws and former Nigerian Olympian Ambrose Monye were both sentenced to life imprisonment.
Gouws, once Henning’s best friend, spilt the beans at the end of his trial, saying the wealthy advocate and businessman had orchestrated the hit on the mother of his son.
On Monday Henning appeared briefly in court. His bail conditions were reaffirmed and others amended. The State made it clear that he may have no contact with witnesses due to testify in his trial.
They include Gouws and Monye, as well as Gouw’s former girlfriend Estelle Hepburn.
Henning must also not contact his former wife, who is said to also be a State witness, as well as employees of Avis.
Henning may not get within a 1km radius of any international ports of departure, but may fly his private aircraft to local destinations, provided that his flight schedule is given to the investigating officer in writing prior the trips.
The Henning couple’s small son may also not accompany his father on these trips as a passenger, without the permission of the investigating officer.
One of the amended conditions is that Henning may not leave Gauteng or the North West without the permission of the investigating officer.
It was made clear to Henning that if he wanted to leave, he had to have prior permission.
He also had to, in writing, state the reason for him leaving and precisely when he will return. Henning is out on R10 million bail.
Gouws claimed that Henning had asked him to find someone to kill Chanelle. During Gouws and Monye’s trial, Henning was referred to as “The Godfather” by Nel.
The gunman Gerhardus du Plessis and Pike Pieterse, who drove the getaway motorcycle on the day of the killing, earlier pleaded guilty to the murder. Each was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment.
Gouws and Monye had until shortly after their convictions denied any knowledge of the killing.
Gouws said his friend wanted Chanelle dead and he asked Monye to obtain the services of a hitman. Monye, in turn, instructed Du Plessis and Pieterse to kill the young mother.
Both Gouws and Monye said they were willing to testify in Henning’s trial.
zelda.venter@inl.co.za
Pretoria News