The Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court heard on Friday, December 12, that the three suspects who were arrested last week for the murder of Karin van Aardt, lay in wait in the grass next to Jakes Gerwel Drive before striking the rental vehicle. The men, Ndiyabulela Vayi, Thando Nkolongo and Yamnkela Mdunyelwa, are facing charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

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The state alleged that the three men spotted the vehicle that stopped at the red robot and ran towards it. Nkolongo then took out a spark plug and broke the passenger window while Vayi attempted to grab Karin’s bag and GPS.

Karin resisted, refusing to let go of her belongings, and Vayi then stabbed her several times in the chest.

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Eric Ntabazalila, the Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, confirmed that the case has been postponed to December 19 for a formal bail application and further investigation.

He said the state will oppose their bail application.

The 33-year-old suspect who was arrested first failed to appear in court on December 11. Police have not yet confirmed when he is expected to appear in court.

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Karin and her husband, Herman, had flown from Mbombela to Cape Town on December 5 and were on their way to Vredenburg for their grandchild’s eighth birthday when they were attacked in a smash-and-grab that resulted in her death.

A memorial service will be held at NG Moedergemeente Nelspruit at 11:00 on December 18 to honour her life.