Farm murder: Polokwane High Court begins trial in Limpopo pig-farm murder case

Photo: SABC

The trial of pig farmer Zachariah Olivier (60), supervisor Rudolph de Wet (20), and farm worker William Musora (50) opened today in the Polokwane High Court. They stand accused of fatally shooting Maria Makgato (45) and Lucia Ndlovu (34) and dumping their bodies in a pigsty at Onvervaght farm in Sebayeng, Limpopo, in August last year. According to the SABC, the victims’ remains were discovered inside the pig enclosure after decomposition had begun.

Meanwhile, Jaccaranda FM reported that De Wet has turned state witness, alleging he was coerced into assisting Olivier in disposing of the bodies, claims that, if accepted, could see charges against him dropped.

The accused face charges including premeditated murder, attempted murder of Lucia Ndlovu’s husband, who survived the shooting, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and defeating the ends of justice by concealing the crime. Musora also faces an immigration-related charge as a Zimbabwean national residing in South Africa without legal status.

Makgato and Ndlovu reportedly entered the farm looking for expired dairy products left to feed pigs—food they hoped to collect. They were allegedly shot by Olivier after entering the property. A man who was with them survived, crawling to a nearby road to alert authorities.

The gruesome nature of the case—particularly allegations of feeding corpses to livestock—has drawn strong public outrage and highlighted deeper societal issues related to race, rural inequality, and farm worker safety in post-apartheid South Africa.

Formal proceedings are expected to last until August 15. Supporters of the victims and community groups, including members of the Economic Freedom Fighters, protested outside the court, demanding maximum sentences and no bail for the accused.

The South African Human Rights Commission has condemned the killings and reaffirmed its opposition to vigilantism. It announced plans to engage affected communities in anti-racism dialogues to address underlying tensions fueling such violence.