THE attempted murder trial of a Mpumalanga tycoon, who allegedly shot and wounded his wife, has resumed in the Themba regional court in Hammanskraal.

Solly Madileng has pleaded not guilty to charges of shooting his wife Maki seven times and pushing her out of a moving car in 2007. He also pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and assaulting his former employee.

After a three-year delay the much-awaited trial has finally started. The state was on several occasions fed up with what it termed delaying tactics by Madileng after the case was postponed more than 10 times because his lawyer failed to show up in court.

Yesterday Madileng pleaded not guilty to all three charges against him.

He faces charges of attempting to kill Maki, 43, when he allegedly shot her and then pushed her out of a moving car on August 7 2007.

The incident happened when Madileng visited Maki, who was staying at her parents' home, after she moved out of their matrimonial home.

"Madileng allegedly told Maki that he wanted to salvage their troubled 10-year-old marriage and she agreed to go with him," said police spokesperson, Sergeant Valley Semenya.

"While on the way he took out a gun and shot her seven times but Maki survived to tell the story," he said.

He is now out on R4000 bail

Madileng has also been charged with kidnapping and assaulting Ephraim Makitla, whom he accused of stealing from his shop.

Both cases have since been combined and the trial will continue on August 4.