A disturbing crime has ignited widespread outrage in South Africa, as two black women, Maria Makgato, 45, and Lucia Ndlovu, 34, were allegedly shot and fed to pigs by a white farmer and his workers on a farm near Polokwane in Limpopo province.
The incident, which occurred in August, has sparked protests and reignited racial tensions between black and white communities, particularly in rural areas.
Despite the end of apartheid 30 years ago, deep divisions remain.
The court is currently deliberating whether to grant bail to the farm owner, Zachariah Johannes Olivier, 60, and his two employees, Adrian de Wet, 19, and William Musora, 50, as they await trial for murder.
Protests erupted outside the courtroom, with demonstrators demanding that the suspects be denied bail.
Magistrate Ntilane Felleng allowed media coverage, citing public interest in the case. The bail hearing has been postponed to November 6, 2024, to allow for further investigations, ensuring the three suspects will remain in custody.
Makgato’s brother, Walter Mathole, expressed concerns about the incident’s impact on racial tensions. “This incident has reopened old wounds and highlighted the ongoing divisions between black and white communities.”
Makgato’s eldest son, Ranti, emotionally appealed for justice, saying, “My mum died a painful death. She was a loving mother who did everything for us. I’ll sleep better at night if the alleged killers are denied bail.”
The three accused also face charges of attempted murder for allegedly shooting at Ndlovu’s husband, Mabutho Ncube, who survived the attack. Ncube reported the incident to the police, leading to the discovery of the decomposed bodies in the farm’s pigsty.
South Africa’s opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, has called for the farm to be shut down, citing concerns about consumer safety. The South African Human Rights Commission condemned the killings and urged anti-racism dialogues to heal affected communities.
This case comes amid other racially charged incidents in South Africa, including the arrest of a farmer and his guard for allegedly killing two men in Mpumalanga, and another case involving a 70-year-old white farmer accused of running over a six-year-old boy for stealing an orange.
Farmer groups have expressed concerns about feeling under attack in a country with a high crime rate, although there is no evidence suggesting farmers are at greater risk than others.
