The horrific murder of wheelchair-bound, 46-year-old Neil McKay, whose body was found on his Winterton Farm, with strangulation marks around his neck, shook the country.
Reflecting on the murder which took place on 10 April 2021, police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala explains that McKay’s hands were also tied, and he was found in his wheelchair. She adds, “It was established that an undisclosed amount of cash, binoculars and a speaker were taken from the house. A case of murder was opened for investigation by Winterton SAPS.”
Shortly after the farmer’s murder, the Democratic Alliance expressed its shock and horror, with DA MPL Alf Lees saying, “Who would murder a man in a wheelchair? A man in a wheelchair who was both unarmed and physically unable to protect himself. We are also appalled by the news that the reason he was crippled was because of an initial farm attack some 20 years ago. In that attack, he was shot and disabled. It seems that despite the passing of 20 years the attackers who crippled Neil McKay have never been convicted.”
Lees further stressed that people who would murder a defenceless man are a danger to all of society. “They must be found and locked away without delay before they murder again.” Further highlighting, it was up to the SAPS to do their job and conduct a thorough forensic investigation to collect the DNA and other evidence required to ensure the murderers are charged, convicted and thrown into jail for life.
On Thursday, 3 June 2021, Captain Gwala said, “Last month, a team of dedicated Detectives from Winterton SAPS managed to make a breakthrough when they arrested two suspects.”
The first suspect, 18-year-old Bongani Mkhwanazi, was arrested in the Khethani area in Winterton. While the second suspect, 23-year-old Bokang Petrose Tsatsi, was arrested in Acaciaville, Ladysmith. The deceased’s binoculars and speaker were recovered from the suspects.
Furthermore, they made their court appearance last month, May 2020, with the two suspects appearing again before the Colenso Magistrates’ Court on 3 June 2021 for a formal bail application.
With the wheels of justice now in motion, what are your thoughts?
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