Farm murder trial nears conclusion as employee turns state witness

Zuko Komisa

The high-profile murder trial of farm owner Zachariah Olivier and his two employees is set to conclude on 17 October 2025 in Polokwane.
Employee Rudolph De Wet (19) has turned a Section 204 state witness against his co-accused, including Olivier, leading to a trial postponement in August.
The three men face charges of murder and attempted murder after Maria Makgato and Lucia Ndlovu were fatally shot while collecting food at Onvervaght farm last year.

The high-profile trial involving the brutal murder of two women on a farm outside Polokwane is scheduled to conclude on 17 October 2025, with one of the accused turning state witness.

The three men—farm owner Zachariah Olivier (60), and employees Rudolph De Wet (19) and William Musora (40)—face charges of murder, attempted murder, and defeating the ends of justice.

The trial took a significant turn when the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that Rudolph De Wet, designated as accused number two, would testify against his co-accused.

NPA spokesperson, Mashudu Malabo-Dzhangi, stated:

“The state is ready to proceed with the trial and has turned accused number two (De Wet) to be a section 204 witness,” referring to the section that allows for indemnity from prosecution in exchange for testimony.

The trial had been postponed in August after the primary accused, Mr. Olivier, requested time to prepare following Mr. De Wet’s decision to cooperate with the prosecution.

The charges relate to the shooting deaths of Maria Makgato (45) and Lucia Ndlovu (35), who were killed in August last year while reportedly collecting expired food at the Onverwaght farm in Sebayeng. Ms. Ndlovu’s husband, Mabutho Ncube, was present during the incident and was also shot, but survived the attack.

The bodies of the two women were allegedly discovered the following morning by Mr. Musora when he arrived for work.