The trial of one of South Africa's most notorious suspected criminals Annanias Mathe has been postponed to Monday, 13 October, the SABC reported.

Mathe's trial was postponed in the Johannesburg High Court after the prosecution and defence teams heard that there were no judges available to hear the case on Tuesday.

The national broadcaster said Mathe is facing 77 charges including rape, attempted murder, cruelty to animals and housebreaking.

Two years ago Mathe escaped from the C-Max section of Pretoria local prison, regarded as the most secure prison in the country.

The trial is expected to last five months.

Sapa