DURBAN - “Please please find it in your heart to forgive me,” Omesh Ramnarain sobbed uncontrollably at the Durban Regional Court on Friday.
The Phoenix plumber, 33, was found guilty of two counts of culpable homicide and is awaiting sentencing. Ramnarain took to the dock to tell the families of Jarred Dwyer and Richard da Silva who sat at the gallery.
While he pleaded for their forgiveness, Ramnarains mother sobbed in the arms of her family.
Dwyer and Da Silva were knocked down by Ramnarain on February 7, 2016, while they were cycling in the emergency lane on the M4, heading out of the CBD.
In a highly emotional scene, convicted driver Omesh Ramnarain made a special statement to the families of the deceased cyclists, that he was "very sorry" and hoped they would find it in their hearts to forgive him. Sentencing to follow. @IOSNewsSA pic.twitter.com/HvQzM552xt
— Arthi (@031Arthi) May 25, 2018
Ramnarain was found guilty on two charges of culpable homicide, but not guilty of drunk driving. He was driving his black Golf GTI.
Lee Dwyer, mother of deceased cyclist Jarred Dwyer, said in court that despite the Bible asking people to forgive, she was prepared to go to hell as she could not forgive Omesh Ramnarain for his actions pic.twitter.com/nttcDIqARh
— Arthi (@031Arthi) May 25, 2018
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Wearing a pinstripe suit and black tie, Ramnarain clutches into a handkerchief and cried as family members of the men he killed spoke directly to him in their testimony.
Dwyer’s mother, Lee, quoted the Bible which stated that one must forgive and forget.
“I am willing to spend eternity in hell if I have to but I will never forgive you Omesh Ramnarain,” Lee said.
The court atmosphere is thick with emotion as the state and defence are pleading for various types of sentences.
Da Silva’s, wife, Sonja Melissa Ferreira, says the sentence should deter such acts in future.
“No one should have to say goodbye to a broken body covered in a silver foil blanket on a hard cold road,” she said.
Magistrate Anand Maharaj is expected to deliver sentence later.