A white South African farm worker on trial for the murder of two women has claimed he was coerced into feeding their bodies to pigs. Adrian de Wet, along with two other men, is accused of killing Maria Makgato, 45, and Lucia Ndlovu, 34, who were allegedly searching for food on a farm near Polokwane in Limpopo last year. De Wet's testimony alleges that Zachariah Johannes Olivier, the farm owner, shot both women before forcing him to dispose of their remains.
The killing of Makgato and Ndlovu, who were reportedly looking for soon-to-expire dairy products, has sparked widespread outrage and highlighted existing racial tensions in South Africa. As a state witness, De Wet is expected to provide evidence that could lead to the dropping of charges against him, citing pressure from Olivier to conceal the crime.
The two women were accompanied by Ndlovu’s husband during the attack, which also included an attempted murder charge against the defendants for shooting at him. The accused are additionally facing charges for obstructing justice and possession of an unlicensed firearm; furthermore, William Musora, another alleged accomplice, is charged with being in South Africa illegally.
Court proceedings have drawn a crowd of supporters for the victims and members of the Economic Freedom Fighters opposition party, who have previously demanded the farm’s closure, reflecting the deep socio-economic divides that remain post-apartheid in the region.
The trial will resume next week amid heightened public interest and calls for justice.
