‘Killer’ farmers back in court! | Daily Sun

Murder accused Zacariah Olivier, Adriaan De Wet and William Musoro in the Mankweng Magistrates Court. Photo by Mankaleme Thema

THREE suspects, including a farm owner, are appearing in the Mankweng Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 10 September.

Zacariah Olivier (60), Adriaan De Wet (19), and William Musoro (45) are accused of fatally shooting Maria Makgato and Lucia Ndlovu and allegedly feeding their bodies to pigs.

The victims’ bodies were found in a pigsty on Onvervaght farm in Sebayeng outside Mankweng, Limpopo in August.

The trio appeared before Mankweng Magistrates Court on Friday, 30 August for a formal bail application.

The case was postponed to Tuesday, 10 September to give the defence adequate time to consult with their clients.

The accused face charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, defeating the ends of justice, and Musoro also faces an additional charge of contravention of the Immigration Act.

ALSO READ: Madala turns bedroom into mine tunnel

Standing in a watching brief for Makgato’s family, Advocate Kgagudi Morota, CEO of Black Forum South Africa, said they’re concerned that the killing of farm workers and communities living on farms still persist, 30 years into democracy.

“We believe the murder of Mme Makgato and Ndlovu were racially motivated.  These farmers would not have used the same force if it was a white woman found on that farm,” said Morota. 

The killing of the victims sent shockwaves and sparked outrage across the country.

Community members, faith-based organisations, political parties, and other civic organisations came in large numbers to attend the court proceedings.

The sole survivor of this ordeal, Mabuto Ndlovu, is still reeling with shock after the incident.