One of two victims of Dullstroom farm attack dies

A 64-year-old woman who was attacked on a farm near Dullstroom at the weekend passed away in hospital on Tuesday, reports the Middelburg Observer.

A trusted source confirmed that the life support machines that Sue Howarth was on were switched off.

Howarth and her husband Robert Lynn were tortured on their farm in the early hours of Sunday morning and dropped off next to the R33 (Belfast-Stoffberg Road), where they were later discovered by passersby.

They both sustained gunshot wounds to the head. Lynn had a black bag tied around his neck while Howarth had a plastic bag shoved down her throat. Both victims had burn wounds.

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Howarth never regained consciousness since she was discovered groaning in pain next to the road. She had multiple skull fractures after the ordeal. Lynn is recovering in hospital. He still has a bullet lodged in his neck.

The couple’s vehicle was discovered abandoned in Middelburg in front of a tavern on Tuesday morning.

Howarth will be remembered as a “straight shooter” and strong woman with a heart of gold who made an impression wherever she went. She was a well-known face at sheepdog trials and had a passion for Border Collies.

A family friend from Secunda, Vincent Taylor, offered a R20 000 reward for any information that would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. Taylor owns Secunda Security Services and said the money would be paid out in cash to the person who supplied the police with information that lead to a successful arrest.

Colonel Phela Mahlangu, head of the detectives at the Middelburg Cluster, said that a task team had been established to work on the case around the clock.

Any information and tip-offs can be sent to Sergeant Sithole on 079 392 6096.

– Caxton News Service

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