The Pig Farm double murder case resumed on Monday, January 26, at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court following a two-month recess.
Zacharia Olivier (61), the owner of Onverwacht Pig Farm in Sebayeng, outside Polokwane, and his farm worker William Musora are facing two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
The charges stem from the brutal killing of Maria Makgatho (45) and Lucia Ndlovu (35) on August 17, 2024.
Ndlovu’s husband, Mabutho Ncube, survived the attack after sustaining gunshot wounds.
The court previously heard that the two women were allegedly shot dead while searching for leftover food at the farm. Their decomposed bodies were discovered two days later in a pigsty.
Last year, the third accused-turned-state witness, Rudolf De Wet (21), testified that Olivier handed him a rifle and instructed him to shoot at the “intruders”.
During his testimony, De Wet further alleged that three police officers assaulted and suffocated him with a plastic bag during interrogation, demanding that he reveal the whereabouts of the firearms used in the killings. He told the court that he feared for his life and nearly lost consciousness several times.
De Wet is one of several key witnesses in the matter. His testimony follows that of Olivier and Makgatho’s son, Ranti, who is among 22 state witnesses expected to testify.
Ranti told the court that he waited in vain for his mother at their usual meeting point after she went to the farm to collect discarded food. When she failed to return, he said he realised something was seriously wrong.
Olivier has since pleaded guilty to possession of illegal firearms but denies involvement in the murders.
