Harsh sentences handed down to killers of disabled farmer

The Ladysmith Regional Court handed down harsh sentences to two suspects who were convicted of killing and robbing a farmer in Winterton in April 2021.

Bongani Mkhwanazi (27) and Bokang Petrose Tasti (26) were sentenced to life and 15 years’ imprisonment each for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara explained that, “The victim, Neil Mckay (46), was a farmer who had been attacked years prior to the incident, thus rendering him a paraplegic. 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 with Tasti.

“They robbed Mckay of cash, binoculars, a blue-tooth speaker and alcohol; they bound his hands and strangled him. They were arrested after police traced them at their homes.”

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Cellphone and DNA evidence was led by prosecutor Satsha Budhram, proving that both men were on scene. Mkhwanazi did a ‘pointing out’, which was also deemed to be admissible and accepted by the court, while Tasti was found in possession of Mckay’s stolen belongings.

Both accused were also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

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