South African Farm Worker Testifies He Was Forced to Feed Two Women’s Corpses to Pigs

A shocking case has emerged in South Africa, where a farm worker testified in court that he was compelled to feed the corpses of two women to pigs. The distressing incident took place on a rural farm, where two women, Maria Makgato, 45, and Lucia Ndlovu, 34, allegedly attempted to steal nearly-expired dairy intended for animal feed. The farm worker, Adrian de Wet, revealed in court that his former employer, White farm owner Zachariah Johannes Olivier, shot the women on August 17, 2024, after accusing them of theft.

De Wet, a 20-year-old witness, testified at the Limpopo High Court that Olivier ordered him to dispose of the bodies by feeding them to pigs. The grisly act was allegedly an attempt to eradicate evidence of the crime. The bodies of the two Black women were not discovered until three days later, decomposed and mauled by the pigs in the farm’s pigsty. This horrifying revelation has led to murder charges being brought against De Wet, Olivier, 60, and another individual, William Musora, 50, according to reports from BBC News.

In addition to the murder charges, the accused individuals also face allegations of attempted murder for shooting at Ndlovu’s husband, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and obstruction of justice for their purported roles in concealing the bodies. Furthermore, Musora, a Zimbabwean national, is confronted with a charge under South Africa’s Immigration Act for allegedly residing unlawfully in the country. This case has sparked widespread public outcry in South Africa, igniting racial tensions, especially in rural areas where issues of land inequality persist from the apartheid era.

The prevailing disparity in land ownership, with White individuals holding the majority of private farmland while Black farm laborers are often underpaid, continues to fuel animosity and sociopolitical divisions. Moreover, the trial has galvanized significant attention from both the victims’ families and political observers. Members of the opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters have previously advocated for the farm’s closure, underscoring the contentious nature of this case.

The emotional intensity of the trial was palpable in the courtroom, with relatives of the victims and political figures closely monitoring the proceedings. Olivier’s wife was observed in tears during the hearings, reflecting the profound impact of the harrowing events. As the legal process unfolds, De Wet maintains that he acted under coercion and is cooperating with authorities as a state witness. If his testimony is accepted by the court, the charges against him may be reconsidered.

It is vital to acknowledge the gravity of this case and underscore the importance of justice being served for the victims, who tragically lost their lives in pursuit of sustenance. The provincial police commissioner, Thembi Hadebe, has affirmed a commitment to ensuring that those responsible face the full consequences of the law. As the trial progresses, the eyes of the nation remain focused on the pursuit of truth and accountability in this distressing ordeal.