POLOKWANE – The Polokwane High Court is set to hand down judgment today, Thursday, in the trial-within-a-trial linked to the double murder at the Onverwacht farm outside Polokwane.

At the centre of the ruling is whether an alleged confession by 61-year-old farm owner Zachariah Olivier can be used as evidence in the main trial.

What the trial-within-a-trial is about

Olivier, along with two co-accused, stands trial for the killings of Maria Makgato and Lucia Ndlovu. The State alleges the two women were shot dead and their bodies fed to pigs after they were reportedly found taking expired dairy products from Olivier’s farm two years ago.

Prosecutors argue that Olivier’s confession was given freely and voluntarily. But Olivier disputes this.

Olivier’s version

In his testimony, he claimed investigating officer Captain Phaladi Makola – who is also a state witness – promised him a reduced sentence if he admitted to the murders. He further alleged he was told his co-accused, farm supervisor Rudolf De Wet and employee William Musora, would be released if he took responsibility.

Olivier said he went along with the arrangement so that De Wet and Musora could look after his business and his wife, who is unemployed, while he served time.

State says Olivier embellished evidence

Wrapping up arguments on Wednesday, State prosecutor Advocate George Sekhukhune asked the court to reject Olivier’s version.

He submitted that the accused had embellished his evidence and raised new claims about Makola that were never put to the officer during cross-examination.

Sekhukhune also told the court that Olivier was properly informed of his constitutional rights at the time of arrest, including the right to legal representation.

He said Olivier elected to continue without a lawyer before making both a warning statement and the alleged confession.

Defence says state failed to meet requirements

Olivier’s lawyer, Advocate Jacobus Venter, argued the State had not met the requirements for admitting a confession in terms of Section 217 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

“A confession must meet three requirements: it must be made freely and voluntarily, in sound and sober senses, and without undue influence,” Venter said.

“In my submission, the State has failed to discharge that burden. The confession should therefore be excluded.”

Watch prosecutor’s closing arguments

The prosecution has wrapped up its arguments in the trial-within-a-trial of pig farmer Zachariah Olivier. The judgment today will determine if Olivier's confession is admissible. pic.twitter.com/D6zvBIc85J

— Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) July 9, 2026