Social Development Dept condemns brutal killing of Limpopo woman

JOHANNESBURG - Social Development Minister, Sisisi Tolashe, has condemned the brutal killing of a 45-year-old mother whose body was found by police and two other victims at Sebayeng village in Limpopo. 

Maria Makgato was reported missing by her family when she did not return home and her phone was switched off. 

According to reports, Makgato, a single mother of four was allegedly shot alongside another woman, Kudzai Ndlovu, and her husband at a farm last weekend.

Their remains were discovered in a state of decomposition by police last week inside a pig's enclosure.

READ: Family of Limpopo woman found dead in pigsty to be given funeral funding - Tolashe

The department's acting national spokesperson, Bathembu Futshane: "This incident happens as the country is commemorating Women's Month. As we celebrate 70 years of the Women's Charter this year, Minister Tolashe said we are duty-bound to work together as a society to defeat the primitive agenda of a patriarchal system that denies women fundamental human rights and seeks to promote equality across all genders."

Futshane said the provincial department's social workers conducted a home visit at Makgato's Kotishing Village in Polokwane.

"It was brought to the attention of the department that the deceased was unemployed and supported her family through the child support grant, which she received for her children. The deceased's three children are still attending school and the youngest is registered at an early childhood development centre. The eldest child is 22 years old and is employed as a casual worker at a local farm and contract will end in December this year."

Three suspects, including the farm owner, appeared in the Mankweng Magistrates Court last Friday on charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, possession of an unlicenced firearm and ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice.

They are due back in court on Thursday.