Henning trial to resume

The trial of two men accused of plotting the murder of Pretoria mother Chanelle Henning continues in the High Court in Pretoria on Monday.

 

Ambrose Monye, a former Nigerian Olympic athlete, and Andre Gouws, stand accused of murder, conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to procure an illegal firearm and ammunition, possession of an illegal firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition. They have pleaded not guilty. Henning was shot dead near her child's creche on the morning of November 8, 2011.

 

Henning's self-confessed killers, Gerhardus du Plessis and former policeman Willem (Pike) Pieterse, previously testified that Monye and Gouws planned the murder and got them to do the dirty work. Du Plessis, who admitted to pulling the trigger, and Pieterse, are both serving 18-year prison terms following a plea bargain agreement with the State. During his last appearance in April, Monye accused a group of prison warders of assaulting him in his cell on three occasions. His advocate Matthew Klein told the court Monye had laid complaints against the warders. 

 

Although he could barely see out of one of his eyes, the prison doctor had given him only eye drops and pain killers. Klein asked that Monye be taken for X-rays to determine whether he had sustained more serious damage. Acting Judge Johan Kruger said Monye would have to follow the procedure laid down by prison authorities concerning his medical treatment. Kruger previously postponed the trial to May 6 because his assessor was "acutely ill" and could not proceed with the trial.

   

-Sapa