The Limpopo High Court has heard shocking claims that a farm supervisor was forced to dispose of two slain women by throwing their bodies into a pig pen.
Key points
- Accused:
- Zachariah Johannes Olivier (60) – white farm owner, charged with two counts of murder, attempted murder, illegal firearm possession, and defeating the ends of justice.
- Adrian de Wet (20) – white farm supervisor, turned state witness; charges to be withdrawn if his testimony is accepted.
- William Musora (50) – Zimbabwean labourer, faces the same counts plus an immigration offence.
- Victims:
- Maria Makgato (45) and Lucia Ndlovu (34) – killed in October 2024 while scavenging near-expired dairy products set aside for farm animals.
- Ndlovu’s husband survived after shots were allegedly fired at him.
- Prosecution case: De Wet is expected to state that Olivier fatally shot the women and, under threat, ordered him to dump the bodies in the pig enclosure to destroy evidence.
- Context: The case has reignited racial tensions over land ownership and labour conditions in rural South Africa, where white farmers still own most private farmland and black workers often live in poverty.
The courtroom was filled with relatives, local activists, and members of the Economic Freedom Fighters, who have demanded the farm’s closure. Proceedings were adjourned until next week to hear De Wet’s testimony.