Chanelle Henning murder case resumes

The trial of two men accused of plotting the murder of Chanelle Henning was scheduled to continue in the High Court in Pretoria on Monday.

 

Henning, 26, was shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011 shortly after she dropped her son off at a crèche. 

 

During the last court sitting in May, Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said the State had almost concluded its case against murder accused Andre Gouws and former Nigerian athlete Ambrose Monye.

 

Both men have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.

 

Former policeman Gerhardus du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.

 

Henning's estranged husband, Nico, is a close friend of Gouws. 

 

Henning's father, Ivan Sainic told the court that Nico was the only person who could have benefited from her daughter's murder.

 

"It is definitely the way we feel... He gets custody of the child. He doesn't have to pay maintenance... He's the only person that could benefit from my daughter's death," he said.

 

Sainic and his wife were nonetheless later awarded custody of the child, with Henning paying school fees. +

 

"At the time my daughter was murdered, I don't think Nico Henning thought there was any chance that the child would go to anyone else but him," said Sainic.

 

-Sapa