A gruesome murder trial that has reignited racial tensions in South Africa began Monday with shocking testimony from a white farm worker who claims he was forced to dispose of two black women’s bodies by feeding them to pigs.
Adrian de Wet, 20, is one of three men initially charged with the murder of Maria Makgato, 45, and Lucia Ndlovu, 34, who were killed last year while allegedly scavenging for expired dairy products at a farm near Polokwane in Limpopo province. The farm was reportedly known for leaving soon-to-expire goods as pig feed.
De Wet, who was a supervisor on the farm, has now turned state witness. According to his lawyers and the prosecution, he alleges that the farm owner, 60-year-old Zachariah Johannes Olivier, fatally shot the two women before forcing him, under duress, to dump their bodies in the pig enclosure to destroy evidence.
“If the court accepts Mr De Wet’s testimony, all charges against him will be dropped,” the prosecution confirmed.
The brutal killings and the alleged attempt to feed the victims to pigs have sparked widespread outrage across South Africa. The case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate about land ownership, inequality, and rural crime, especially given the racial dynamics: most farmland remains under white ownership, while the majority of farm labourers are black and often face poor working conditions.
A third suspect, 50-year-old William Musora, a Zimbabwean national and fellow farm worker, is also facing charges of murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm, and obstructing justice. Musora has additionally been charged under South Africa’s Immigration Act for allegedly residing in the country without legal documentation.
The accused also face attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting at Ms Ndlovu’s husband, who was present during the attack but managed to escape.
During Monday’s proceedings at the Limpopo High Court, the public gallery was filled with supporters, victims’ relatives, and members of the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, which has called for the farm’s immediate closure. Olivier’s wife, seated at the front of the courtroom, was seen visibly emotional as testimony began.
Neither Olivier nor Musora have entered pleas, and both remain in custody. The trial has been postponed to next week to allow for further witness testimony and legal arguments.
The case continues to draw national attention as South Africans grapple with the legacy of apartheid, unresolved rural inequalities, and mounting calls for justice.
Written By Rodney Mbua
