The trial of Zachariah Olivier and William Musora, accused of murdering two women and feeding their bodies to pigs, resumed at the Polokwane High Court on October 7, 2025. The case has garnered significant attention due to its shocking allegations. Olivier, a pig farmer, and Musora, his employee, are denying responsibility for the deaths of Maria Makgato and Lucia Ndlovu, who were reportedly scavenging for expired dairy products on Olivier’s farm near Polokwane.

Earlier in the week, the State withdrew charges against co-accused Adriaan Rudolph De Wet, who has agreed to testify under South Africa’s Section 204 procedure. In exchange for his testimony, De Wet will face prosecution only if the court finds his testimony to be less than “frank and honest.” During prior proceedings, De Wet claimed that he was coerced by Olivier to dispose of the victims’ bodies in a pigsty following the shootings.

The victims, Makgato and Ndlovu, were allegedly shot on Olivier’s farm, while a third person, Ndlovu’s husband, was reportedly shot at but survived the incident. The case has highlighted long-standing tensions around rural justice, racial inequality, and farmworker rights in South Africa. Olivier’s defence team has requested a postponement to investigate the newly raised evidence, which is expected to be presented in court between October 6 and 17.

The trial has sparked widespread outrage and attention, with many calling for justice for the victims and their families. The use of Section 204 procedure in De Wet’s case has also raised interest, as it allows for the prosecution to be dropped if the testimony is deemed truthful. As the trial progresses, it is likely to continue drawing attention to the issues of rural justice and farmworker rights in South Africa. The court’s decision and the outcome of the trial will be closely watched, both locally and internationally.