A South African High Court adjourned to allow Ranti Makgato to compose himself after he became emotional while recounting his search for his mother, who was found dead in a pigsty. His mother, Maria Makgato, and Lucadia Ndlovu were shot and killed on Zachariah Olivier’s farm in August last year. The two women had been scavenging for food when they were murdered and discarded in a pigsty. Ndlovu’s husband, Mabutho Ncube, survived the attack and fled.
Makgato testified that on the day his mother was killed, he saw her around 2 p.m. and later learned she went to collect dairy products for the family. When she didn’t return, he searched for her but found no sign of her. He broke down in tears while describing the moment he realized she was gone.
Earlier, optometrist Lehumo Alice Mothiba testified that Ncube called her for help. He was found badly beaten with his intestines exposed, and his wife and another woman were left behind. Mothiba and her husband contacted the police, who called for an ambulance.
Makgato testified that on the day his mother was killed, he saw her around 2 p.m. and later learned she went to collect dairy products for the family. When she didn’t return, he searched for her but found no sign of her. He broke down in tears while describing the moment he realized she was gone.
Earlier, optometrist Lehumo Alice Mothiba testified that Ncube called her for help. He was found badly beaten with his intestines exposed, and his wife and another woman were left behind. Mothiba and her husband contacted the police, who called for an ambulance.