Henning murder trial postponed, defence not prepared

Nico Henning, accused of the murder of his estranged wife, appeared briefly in the Pretoria District Court on Thursday.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel asked for the matter to be postponed to serve the indictment as Henning's defence team was not yet ready.

The matter was postponed until January 15, when the indictment would be formally served.

The matter would then be transferred to the High Court in Pretoria, with July 8 to 12 set down as the provisional dates for the trial.

Henning is to be tried for the murder of his estranged wife Chanelle Henning and conspiracy to commit murder.

The 26-year-old mother was killed in a drive-by shooting shortly after dropping off their child at a creche in Faerie Glen, Pretoria, in November 2011.

Nico Henning's friend Andre Gouws, 49, and Nigerian former athlete Ambrose Monye have both been sentenced to life in prison for the murder.

Two other men, Gerhardus "Doepie" du Plessis and Willem "Pike" Pieterse, are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the killing.

Gouws testified during his sentencing proceedings that Henning paid him R1m to carry out the hit so he could get custody of his child.

Henning handed himself to the police in Villieria, Pretoria, on December 6 last year, following Gouws's testimony the previous day.

Henning, who is out on bail, waited outside the courtroom on Thursday morning until his case was called.

He stood quietly in the dock, wearing a crisp dark suit.