Killers sentenced for murder of disabled Winterton farmer

The Ladysmith Regional Court has handed down harsh sentences to two men who were convicted of killing and robbing a farmer in Winterton, KZN, 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.

“The victim, Neil Mckay (46), was a farmer who was 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,” says National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.

“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 Bluetooth speaker and alcohol; they bound his hands and strangled him. They were arrested after police traced them at their homes,” she adds.

Cellphone and DNA evidence was led by prosecutor Satsha Budhram, proving that both men were on the scene. Mkhwanazi did a ‘pointing out’, which was 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.