POLOKWANE – The double murder trial of a Limpopo pig farmer has been postponed to July in the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane.

The matter relates to a trial-within-a-trial concerning the admissibility of a confession statement allegedly made by accused number one, Zachariah Olivier. Proceedings will continue when the case returns to court.

Investigating officer Capt Phaladi Makola is expected to resume his testimony when the trial continues.

Olivier and his co-accused, William Musora, are being tried for the murders of Maria Makgato and Lucodia Ndlovu at Onverwacht Farm in Sebayeng in August 2024. The bodies of the two women were allegedly disposed of in a pigsty.

Presiding judge Jane Ngobeni said a new state witness will begin testifying when the trial resumes.

“The case against both of you is adjourned to July 6-July 9, for further hearing, and you are both still remanded in custody,” Ngobeni told the accused.

Earlier in proceedings, Olivier’s lawyer, Adv Jakobus Venter, told the court that the lead investigating officer had been dishonest and failed to follow proper procedures when arresting his client.

Makola denied the allegations, maintaining that he followed the correct procedures.

Meanwhile, concerns about Olivier’s safety were raised during his appearance last Thursday. According to Venter, Olivier reported that he had been subjected to severe threats of sexual assault while being held in police cells overnight.

Olivier had been kept at the police holding cells in Polokwane last Wednesday to facilitate travel arrangements after the case was postponed, instead of being returned to prison where he is normally detained. Venter requested that the court order Olivier’s immediate return to prison for his safety.

State prosecutor Adv George Sekhukhune confirmed that threats had been reported and agreed that the court should adjourn early to allow Olivier to be transported back to prison.

The court instructed Makola to ensure that the transfer took place.