Pig farm double murder: Trio to remain in custody after postponement
The case against farm owner Zachariah Olivier (44), Rudolph de Wet (19) and an employee, William Musore (45) continued in the Polokwane Regional Court today.
POLOKWANE – The third accused in the Onverwacht double farm murder case was dropped by his lawyer Chanel Brown today due to his inability to pay her going forward.
William Musore is one of three implicated in the death of Zimbabwean national Lucodia Ndlovu and South African Mariah Makgato after their bodies were found in a pigsty on the farm of his employer Zachariah Olivier (Accused 1) in July.
The men face multiple charges, including two counts of murder, attempted murder, and defeating the ends of justice. Musora also faces an additional charge for contravening the Immigration Act as an illegal immigrant.
It is said the trio trespassed on the farm to collect discarded food with other community members.
A shootout is said to have been orchestrated by Olivier and Rudolph de Wet (Accused 2; a supervisor at the farm) and led to the death of the two women and seriously injured Ndlovu’s husband.
Read his recollection of events: Pig farm double murder: Victim recalls ‘traumatic experience’
The trio appeared before the Polokwane Regional Court today in order for de Wet and Musore to apply for bail.
Musore agreed to be represented by Legal Aid South Africa, belonging to the state, without charge, before De Wet’s lawyer volunteered his services to Musore pro bono.
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The case was therefore postponed to November 6 due to a change in Musore’s legal representation and the pending state appeal for the release of a statement made by Olivier.
🎥WATCH: Limpopo NPA spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi- Dzhangi breaks down critical information spoken about in the Polokwane Regional Court today. pic.twitter.com/Rg0yOsDcNp
— Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) October 2, 2024
The matter was also referred back to the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court.
In the meantime, the trio remain in custody as the appeal will determine whether Oliver receives his statement for the purpose of bail application.
