A white farmer and his two workers in South Africa’s Limpopo province are facing trial for the alleged murder of two black women, whose bodies were reportedly fed to pigs in an attempt to conceal the crime. The case has reignited deep-seated racial tensions in the country, where land ownership and economic disparities remain contentious issues.
The victims, identified as Maria Makgato, 45, and Lucia Ndlovu, 34, were allegedly searching for food on the farm near Polokwane when they were shot dead. Authorities claim the men then disposed of the bodies by feeding them to livestock.
The accused—farm owner Zachariah Johannes Olivier, 60, and his employees Adrian de Wet, 19, and William Musora, 50—are also charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at Ndlovu’s husband, who survived the attack. Additional charges include illegal firearm possession and obstruction of justice. Musora, a Zimbabwean national, faces further allegations related to his immigration status.
The trial has drawn significant public attention, with the courtroom filled with grieving relatives and activists. The case has intensified debates over racial inequality in rural areas, where white farmers still control much of the land while black laborers often endure poor wages and living conditions.
The killings have fueled anger among civil rights groups, with some calling for broader land reform and justice for marginalized communities. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a grim reminder of South Africa’s unresolved racial and economic divides.
