Martin Wessels will stand trial for murder after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided to proceed with the prosecution following months of delays while a decision was awaited.

Wessels, who is accused of fatally shooting Anton Lombard in April 2025, appeared in the Ladysmith Regional Court today (July 23), where the matter was formally advanced following the DPP’s decision.

Months of delays come to an end

The case has been postponed on several occasions since Wessels’ first court appearance, with the court awaiting the outcome of the DPP’s decision on whether to proceed with the prosecution.

The alleged shooting occurred at the Hauser Park Sports Bar, also known as The Shute, in the Egerton area, where Lombard sustained a fatal gunshot wound.

Pre-trial conference scheduled for August

The matter has now been set down for a pre-trial conference on August 19.

During the hearing, the court is expected to deal with procedural issues, including confirming the readiness of both the state and the defence ahead of the murder trial.

The pre-trial conference is intended to ensure that all outstanding matters are addressed before a trial date is allocated.

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