Sue Howarth was murdered on her farm near Dullstroom in 2017 whilst her husband Robert Lynn, survived the ordeal with a bullet stuck in his neck.

Shortly thereafter three men, Yika bothers Nkosinathi and William, as well as Lucas Makua were arrested and charged with murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The trial has been dragging its feet for four years with factors such as Covid-19 causing several delays.

During the previous court sitting, the defense indicated that he could not prepare his heads of argument due to internet network problems.

Lucas Makua, who pleaded guilty as charged at the beginning of the trial has since passed away in prison.

His guilty plea was rejected because the court felt that he did not admit to all the elements of the crimes he was charged with and thus his plea was viewed as ‘not guilty’ along with those of his co-accused, the Yika brothers.

It is expected that the state and defense will deliver their heads of argument today.