One of the victims, Mariah Makgato (47).
The accused in the grisly murder of two women outside Polokwane made their brief appearance in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on August 26 facing charges of a serious nature.
Zachariah Johannes Olivier, 60, who is a farm owner and his co-accused Andrian Rudolph De Wet, 19 and William Musora are facing charges attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, defeating the ends of justice.
Musora, a Zimbabwean national, is facing an additional charge of being in the country illegally.
The incident has brought poignant memories of unabated farm killings that have bedeviled the province.
The deceased, Mariah Makgato, 47 and 34-year-old Zimbabwean, Lucia Ndlovhu were shot several times and subsequently thrown into a pigsty.
The ravenous pigs wasted no time in feasting on human flash as the women’s upper torsos were discovered with open wounds.
The man who was in the company of the deceased women managed to escape from the wrath of the vicious farmers and made his way the nearby hospital where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
Police reports indicate that there was a missing person case over the weekend prior to the grim discovery of the lifeless bodies at the farm on August 21.
The women’s bodies were riddled with gunshot wounds and confirmed that they were mauled by the farm swine.
They were found at an advanced decomposed during to the sweltering temperatures over the weekend.
The provincial tracking team and murder and robbery unit made a breakthrough by arresting the farm trio after a thorough investigation.
Makgato’s brother, Walter Mathole said seeing the bodies in that stage was a reminder that farm killings will never cease in the province.
He said “Seeing those women lying there after being shot like that and be fed to animals really shows that these white people are merciless and they will never change their attitudes towards black people. It’s so inhumane and confirms that they had no conscience when they pulled the trigger and subsequently fed them to pigs to feast on human flesh. It’s so disgusting and bone-chilling.”
Premier, Phophi Ramathuba has strongly condemned the tragic incident, further lambasting the escalating statistics of femicide incidents in the province.
Ramathuba said “We are outraged about these heinous acts of violence against two women and the wounding of a man in our province. Such brutal and senseless acts have no place in our society, especially during Women’s Month. Over the past weeks, we have learned of several cases of women being killed in gender-based violence incidence. These kinds of incidents serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to continue our collective efforts to combat gender-based violence and protect the rights and dignity of all individuals in our communities. “We call on the authorities to ensure that those responsible for this horrific crimes are swiftly brought to justice. As a society, we must unite to protect the most vulnerable among us and ensure that women, children can live without fear.”
Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commended the swift arrest of two suspects.
“This is one of the most disturbing and inhumane acts in our province, and we will ensure those responsible face the full might of the law” said Hadebe.
The suspects will return to the same court on August 30 for profiling.