Pretoria - Murder accused Nico Henning has no respect for the law, the Regional Court in Pretoria heard on Friday.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said Henning, who had previously worked as an advocate, illegally obtained his late wife's cellphone statements and attempted to plant cameras in her home.
Henning was arrested for conspiracy and the murder of his estranged wife Chanelle.
He was attempting to get bail.
Chanelle Henning, 26, was shot dead by men on a motorbike shortly after dropping off her son at his creche in Faerie Glen, Pretoria, in November 2011.
Nico's friend Andre Gouws and former Nigerian athlete Ambrose Monye have been convicted for the murder.
During their trial, held in the High Court in Pretoria a few weeks ago, Daan Mostert, for convicted murderer Andre Gouws, 49, asked Gouws if he thought Henning had manipulated him when he allegedly ordered the hit on his wife.
“Without a doubt,” Gouws responded during sentencing procedures.
An emotional Gouws told the court his best friend and friend of 24 years had offered him R1 million to carry out the hit so he could get custody of the couple's now six-year-old son.
This was to be paid in monthly instalments of R50 000.
Gouws said he would testify against Henning and had decided to tell the truth because “it was the right thing to do”.
The State argued that Monye and Gouws conspired with former policemen Gerhardus “Doepie” du Plessis and Willem “Pike” Pieterse.
Du Plessis and Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.
Nel said Henning had failed to tell police that his best friend, Gouws, had bought a motorbike a few weeks earlier and, coincidentally, his wife was murdered by men on a motorbike.
“It's what he did not do that corroborates Gouws's version,” said Nel.
He added that Henning should not be granted bail as there were no exceptional circumstances warranting such.
Nel said just because Henning was a man of “means” did not mean he should be granted bail.
He said his love for his child was also not reason enough to grant him bail, as the child was the motive for Chanelle Henning's murder.
Nico Henning appeared stressed as he sat in the dock on Friday, wearing a black suit.
Sapa