Monye ‘pivot’ in Henning murder

01/07/2013. Ambrose Monye sits on the dock waiting for the start of his trial at the Pretoria High Court were he is accused of murdering Chanelle Henning. Picture: Oupa Mokoena

01/07/2013. Ambrose Monye sits on the dock waiting for the start of his trial at the Pretoria High Court were he is accused of murdering Chanelle Henning. Picture: Oupa Mokoena

Published Jul 8, 2013

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Pretoria - Former Nigerian Olympic athlete Ambrose Monye was the pivot between those allegedly involved in Chanelle Henning's murder, the High Court in Pretoria heard on Monday.

“You were the central figure, the pivotal point, around which these things happened,” Daan Mostert, for Monye's co-accused Andre Gouws, said.

Henning, 26, died in a drive-by shooting in Faerie Glen on November 8, 2011, shortly after dropping off her child at a creche.

Monye and Gouws have pleaded not guilty to five charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to murder Henning.

The State alleges Monye and Gouws conspired with former policeman Gerhardus “Doepie” du Plessis and Willem “Pike” Pieterse (alias Tattoo). Du Plessis and Pieterse are serving 18-year prison terms after confessing to their roles in the murder.

On Monday afternoon, Mostert put it to Monye that there were never any communications or phone calls between Gouws and the two men convicted of the murder.

He said Pieterse testified Monye hired him for two jobs, to sell drugs and kill Henning.

“He didn't do that for me... .He must be lying,” Monye told the court.

Mostert said Pieterse testified he was never hired as a bouncer, as Monye had said.

“He was lying my lord,” Monye said.

Mostert said his client denied ever requesting bouncers from Monye, as he had testified. Monye said Gouws was lying.

Mostert said Monye introduced Pieterse and Du Plessis to his client on November 2, 2011.

“There was no cellphone traffic between the three,” Mostert said.

He told Monye that Pieterse and Du Plessis tried to kill Henning on November 3, 2011, but failed as they could not find her or her car.

“They said they did it. You can't deny it,” Mostert told Monye.

“I didn't know what they went to do,” Monye replied.

Mostert said Monye even arranged a meeting between the three after the failed attempt, thus it was clear Pieterse and Du Plessis could not have been working for Gouws.

“They were not working for me,” Monye said.

Mostert asked Monye if Gouws ever asked him to help him sort out a friend's custody battle.

“I didn't know about that. He never told me that,” Monye told the court.

Mostert asked Monye if Gouws ever asked him to kill Henning.

“He never requested such from me my lord,” Monye said. He added that Gouws never asked him to arrange for anyone to kill Henning.

Earlier on Monday, the State completed its cross-examination of Monye.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel detailed the State's case against him, explaining how he believed Monye was involved in Henning's murder.

Monye denied any part in it.

“My lord, I never gave instructions to anybody,” Monye said.

Nel said Gouws wanted someone killed and he asked Monye to help him. He detailed how Monye met Pieterse and how he was impressed by him.

“You knew that he would hurt people,” Nel said, adding Monye later asked Pieterse at a braai if he would kill someone.

“Nothing like that (happened) my lord,” Monye said.

Nel referred to cellphone records showing calls between Monye and Pieterse and between Monye and Gouws on the day of the murder.

Nel said Monye demanded payment for the murder on November 8, 2011, and Gouws withdrew R44 000 from his bank account that day. A few days later R31 500 was deposited into Monye's account. He said this was payment for the murder.

“My lord, I never demanded any money from anybody,” Monye said.

Mostert would continue his cross-examination on Tuesday. - Sapa

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