Ridhwaan Mackay’s killer gets 18 years
| Author | Sandi Kwon Hoo CHIEF REPORTER |
| Published date | 11 June 2021 |
The post mortem indicated that the cause of death was smothering and smoke inhalation where a bundled sock that was covered by a partially burnt cloth belt with two metal buckles was shoved into his mouth.
Northern Cape High Court judge Sibongile Nuxmalo yesterday sentenced Ortell to 18 years imprisonment on charges of murder and theft, of which five years will be suspended, on condition that he does not commit another offence involving violence.
Ortell admitted that he had acted beyond the boundaries of self defence when he assaulted Mackay with a cricket bat until he lost consciousness.
He confessed to not calling for assistance despite knowing that Mackay was seriously injured.
He acknowledged that the drugs and alcohol that he had consumed had affected his inhibitions where he “cared less about the consequences of his actions”, although it had not impaired his judgement.
Ortell pointed out that while he did not have a direct intention to kill, he knew that his actions could have resulted in the death.
The incident took place on April 13, 2017 after the deceased gave Ortell a lift to his home in St Augustine Road, West End.
The plea agreement gave details of a scuffle that took place over a tablet that belonged to the accused at the time the offence was committed.
“They used tik together at the house. The accused asked the deceased when he was going to get his tablet back that had been pawned whereby the deceased said that the money was ‘coming in slow’.
“The accused said that he did not want the money and instead wanted his tablet. The accused was using his tablet at school and some of his school work was on the tablet.”
The accused had indicated that he was tired of the deceased’s repeated promises of “seeing what he could do” about the problem.
“The accused took another hit of tik and asked the deceased again about the tablet.
“The deceased laughed, whereby the accused became angry and pushed the deceased against his chest. The deceased swung towards the accused but missed. The accused hit the deceased with a left and a right hook. The deceased covered his face and the accused grabbed the deceased around his neck where he fell to his knees.”
The deceased managed to free himself and ran towards the door, only to find that it was locked.
“The accused asked him what he was going to do about it. The deceased replied that for what he...
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