The Marchlands farm attack in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga made international headlines in 2017 when Sue Howarth and Robert Lynn were attacked and tortured before they were left for dead next to a road leading to Belfast.

Their attackers, brothers Nkosinathi and Themba William Yika, each received an effective 20 years behind bars in the Breyten Magistrate’s Court today.

In 2017 Howarth was shot while sleeping in bed. Her body was later thrown into the back of their bakkie and discarded next to the road. Lynn succeeded in flagging down a car after he was ordered to kneel and a shot was fired at his head. He still has a bullet lodged in his neck.

Lynn miraculously survived the barbaric ordeal after being tortured with a blowtorch for hours.

Howarth’s close friend Claire Taylor, who has been present for all the court proceedings during the past couple of years, welcomed the sentences. She immediately notified Lynn, who has since relocated back to the UK, when she walked out of court.

The following sentences were handed down:

Nkosinathi Yika:

• Count 1 – housebreaking – 15 years direct imprisonment.
• Count 4 – discharging of a firearm in a built-up area – five years direct imprisonment.
• Count 5 – murder – 20 years direct imprisonment.
• Count 6 – attempted murder – 12 years direct imprisonment.
• Count 7 – theft – five years direct imprisonment.
• Count 8 – kidnapping – five years direct imprisonment.
• Count 9 – kidnapping – five years direct imprisonment.

The sentences for housebreaking, discharging of a firearm, and theft, will run concurrent with the 20-year murder sentence, while both kidnapping sentences will also be served concurrently.

Themba William Yika:

• Count 1 – housebreaking – 15 years direct imprisonment.
• Count 2 – possession of a firearm – five years direct imprisonment.
• Count 3 – possession of ammunition – three years direct imprisonment.
• Count 4 – discharging of a firearm in a built-up area – five years direct imprisonment.
• Count 5 – murder – 20 years direct imprisonment.
• Count 6 – attempted murder – 12 years direct imprisonment.
• Count 7 – theft – five years direct imprisonment.
• Count 8 – kidnapping – five years direct imprisonment.
• Count 9 – kidnapping – five years direct imprisonment.

The same serving terms were ordered.

The third accused, Lucas Makua, died while in custody.