THE man accused of killing two cyclists on the M4 in March last year has fired his legal team. Omesh Ramnarain‚ who allegedly crashed his vehicle into two cyclists, Richard da Silva (46) and Jaryd Dwyer (36) on the Ruth First Highway‚ changed his plea at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
At his last court appearance the 33-year-old indicated that he had concluded a plea bargain agreement with the State. Ramnarain, a plumber from Phoenix who faced charges of drunk driving and culpable homicide was expected to plead guilty.
Da Silva (Glen Anil) and Dwyer (Glenwood) were among a group of cyclists taking part in a training ride on the M4 just before the Swapo Road turnoff when the tragedy occurred.
Sean Lucien, who was part of the group cycling along the M4 on the day, said he was shocked by the way events unfolded on Friday.
“The court and Richard and Jaryd’s family expected a plea bargain. Both families have no closure and they are reliving this tragedy with every court appearance. It is not fair on them and it’s a slap in their faces because he asked both families for forgiveness last month. I also feel for Jaryd’s mom who traveled to Durban from Cape Town for the case,” he said.
The matter was adjourned for 6 October.
Hundreds of cyclists took part in a mass cycle to pay tribute to the duo a week after their deaths, while several cycling clubs have agreed to a no cycling zone on the M4 following the tragedy.
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