Accused in Limpopo pig farm murder trial turns state witness

Farm worker Rudolph de Wet is one of three men facing murder charges after Maria Makgato, 45, and Lucia Ndlovu, 34, were killed while allegedly looking for food on a farm near Polokwane last year.

Their bodies were then allegedly fed to pigs in an apparent attempt to dispose of the evidence.

De Wet, 20, turned state witness when the trial started on Monday.

He told the Polokwane High Court that accused number one, farm owner Zachariah Olivier, shot and killed the two women.

The matter was subsequently postponed to Thursday to determine if their trial will proceed next Monday. 

"We were supposed to resume the trial, which involves these three accused in the farm murder case," said spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Limpopo, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi. 

"However, the representatives of the accused persons have requested the state to consult with their clients.

“Even accused number three (William Musora) has been moved out from the previous attorneys. Now he is going to be represented by Legal Aid South Africa." 

The trio are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and defeating the ends of justice. 

Charges against De Wet are expected to be dropped when he begins his testimony as a state witness. 

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