The shocking case involving the alleged murder of two black women by a white farmer and two of his workers has ignited widespread outrage across South Africa. Maria Makgato, 45, and Lucia Ndlovu, 34, were reportedly searching for food on a farm near Polokwane in Limpopo province in August when they were shot, and investigators allege their remains were subsequently fed to pigs in an effort to destroy the evidence.
The impending court decision on whether to grant bail to the accused—Zachariah Johannes Olivier, 60, and his employees Adrian de Wet, 19, and William Musora, 50—marks a crucial moment ahead of their scheduled murder trial. The men have yet to enter a plea, which is expected to occur when the trial commences.
Public protests outside the court have demanded that the suspects be denied bail. Walter Mathole, brother of the late Maria Makgato, expressed concerns that this incident has intensified racial tensions between black and white communities in South Africa, particularly in rural regions, three decades after the end of apartheid.
The accused also face charges of attempted murder stemming from the shooting of Ndlovu’s husband, who was with the women at the time. Mabutho Ncube reportedly survived the attack and managed to seek medical attention. Authorities later discovered the decomposed bodies of Makgato and Ndlovu several days after the incident.
As the details emerge, the family of Maria Makgato is mourning her loss, especially her four grieving sons, ages 5 to 22. Ranti Makgato, the eldest son, expressed heartache over his mother’s tragic fate and hopes the alleged killers will be denied bail.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has called for the closure of the farm involved, citing safety concerns for consumers. The South African Human Rights Commission condemned the brutal killings and urged for discussions aimed at combating racism.
Incidents of racial unrest have recently escalated, with two additional cases drawing attention. In Mpumalanga, a farmer and a security guard were arrested in connection with the alleged murders of two men accused of sheep theft. Meanwhile, in Western Cape, a 70-year-old farmer is under scrutiny for allegedly hitting a six-year-old boy with his vehicle during a confrontation over an orange theft, facing serious charges including attempted murder.
As South Africa grapples with these incidents, calls for justice and accountability continue to resonate within communities.
