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Marchlands murder trial postponed

The Marchlands murder trial has been postponed again after the state prosecutor contracted Covid-19 for a second time.

Brit expat Sue Howarth was murdered on the farm Marchlands near Dullstroom in 2017.

Three men were arrested in connection with the murder shortly thereafter.

Nkhosinathi and William Yika, together with Lucas Makua, were charged with murder, housebreaking and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Also read: (Update): Lone survivor of farm attack speaks about horror night

The case has been dealt several blows, such as when the docket was destroyed in a fire at the Dullstroom detective branch. It was alleged that some of the accused made admissions of guilt, but that the documents were destroyed in the fire, something they strongly deny.

The trial was halted for a trial within a trial, after the accused alleged that they were assaulted by police and that certain pieces of evidence are therefore inadmissible. After the trial within a trial, the High Court, sitting in Breyten, determined that the trial could go ahead.

Also read: Five arrested for Dullstroom murder

Howarth’s husband, Robert Lynn, who has already testified, has since moved back to the United Kingdom.

The case has been postponed on numerous occasions. It was set on the court roll for three weeks, starting on June 21.

During the first week, the matter was postponed for two weeks until July 5, after the state prosecutor contracted Covid-19.

Yesterday morning the case had to be postponed again after it came to light that the prosecutor had tested positive for Covid-19 again over the past weekend.

The next court date was determined Thursday but could not be published as it happened after deadline.

 

 

 

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Jana Boshoff

Jana works as a senior support specialist for Caxton digital. Before that she was a journalist at the Middelburg Observer 15 years where she won numerous awards including Sanlam's Up and Coming Journalist, Caxton Multimedia Journalist of the Year, and several investigative awards. She is passionate about people and the stories untold.
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