Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE trial of a South African farmer who killed a Zimbabwean and a South African woman whom he fed to his pigs in Limpopo province has been postponed to October 23.
The accused, Zachariah Olivier (60), a farmer, and his two employees, Adriaan De Wet (19) and William Musoro (45), a Zimbabwean, were arrested in August 2024.
They have been indicted on eight separate charges, including two of murder at the Polokwane High Court.
Limpopo Divisional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Ms Mashudu Malabi, confirmed the latest development on Thursday.
“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo notes the ruling delivered today by the Polokwane High Court in the matter involving Zachariah Olivier, Rudolph de Wet, and William Musora, who are facing charges of double murder,” she said.
“The charges arise from the alleged murder of two women (Maria Makgato and Lucia Ndlovu) who were killed and thrown in the pigsty at Onvervaght farm in Limpopo in 2024.
“The court delivered judgment in a trial-within-a-trial concerning Accused 1, Mr Zachariah Olivier. The court found that the statement made by Olivier was given freely and voluntarily, without any undue influence or coercion.
“Consequently, the statement was ruled admissible as evidence. Following the ruling, the matter was postponed to October 23, 2026 for further proceedings, during which the contents of the statement will be read into the court record.”
Ms Malabi said the State was being represented by Advocate George Sekhukhune and Advocate Matibidi Malatji and that the accused persons remain in custody.
She said the NPA remains committed to prosecuting the matter without fear, favour or prejudice and to ensuring justice for the victims and their families.
Olivier and his two accomplices were arrested following the discovery of the decomposed bodies of Makgato and Ndlovu in a pigsty on a farm in Sebayeng, outside Mankweng, on August 20, 2024.
Ndlovu’s body has since been repatriated and buried in Zimbabwe with the support of the country’s Embassy in South Africa.
It is understood that the arrests followed a thorough investigation by the Provincial Tracking Team and the Murder and Robbery Unit.
According to the police in Limpopo, investigations began when a 45-year-old South African woman went missing after visiting the farm on 17 August 2024, accompanied by a 35-year-old foreign national woman.
Makgato and Ndlovu sustained gunshot wounds, while Ndlovu’s 47-year-old husband, who was with them was also shot and hospitalised.
