A farm laborer who k!lled his boss two weeks after being fired has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Bongani Mkhwanazi, 27, and his co-accused, Bokang Petrose Tasti, 26, were condemned to Neil McKay’s murder this week at Ladysmith Regional Court.
The 46-year-old farmer was brutally murdered on his farm near Winterton in April 2021.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), McKay was paraplegic due to an attack prior to his murder.
“However, despite his disability, McKay continued to run his family farm with several permanent employees,” explained KZN NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.
She said 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.
“They then bound his hands and strangled him.”
The NPA said the duo were arrested after police traced them at their homes.
DNA and cellphone evidence placed both men at the scene, the NPA said.
“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.”
In a family impact statement, McKay’s family stated that after his death, they were forced to sell their property.
The men were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for robbery.
The NPA applauded the punishment and believed it would act as a deterrence to others who shared its views.
