Ladysmith Regional Court delivers justice: Paraplegic farmer’s murderers get life

Ladysmith Regional Court delivers justice: Paraplegic farmer’s murderers get life

The heart-wrenching death of Neil McKay, a 46-year-old paraplegic farmer from Winterton, cast a dark shadow over the farming community in April 2021. Now, more than three years later, a semblance of justice has been achieved.

This follows the Ladysmith Regional Court sentencing Bongani Mkhwanazi and Bokang Petrose Tasti to life imprisonment and 15 years each, for the murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, KZN Regional Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, elaborated that McKay had become paraplegic after an attack years before the fatal incident. “However, despite his disability, McKay continued to run his family farm with several permanent employees. Mkhwanazi was a former employee of McKay’s, who was dismissed two weeks before the incident. On the day of the incident, Mkhwanazi returned to the farm together with Tasti. They robbed McKay of cash, binoculars, a Bluetooth speaker, and alcohol; bound his hands and strangled him. They were arrested after police traced them to their homes.”

As reported by Newcastillian News, McKay was found deceased in his wheelchair, with the Democratic Alliance’s Alf Lees voicing his shock and horror.

“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.”

To read more on the initial article, click here.

Discussing the court proceedings, Ramkisson-Kara explained that Prosecutor Satsha Budhram presented cell phone and DNA evidence placing both men at the scene of the crime. “Mkhwanazi further did a pointing out, which was proven to be admissible and accepted by the court, while Tasti was found in possession of McKay’s stolen belongings,” she said.

Ramkisson-Kara also noted that Budhram submitted Victim Impact Statements from McKay’s family members, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Khulekani Professor Mthembu. “In their statements, they mentioned that the family and employees are struggling to come to terms with McKay’s death. They have experienced financial burdens and have had to sell the farm.”

Following the proceedings, Ramkisson-Kara emphasised that the men were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for robbery.

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They were also declared unfit to possess a firearm. “The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence, and we commend the work done by the Prosecution and Investigation teams. We hope that sentences of this nature serve as a deterrent to like-minded individuals,” she concluded.

With the two men now behind bars, what are your thoughts on this case? Share your views in the comment section below.

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