The state has told the High Court in Polokwane that Limpopo pig farmer, Zachariah Olivier, and his employee, William Musora, had planned to kill the people who were scavenging at a dumping site.

Two women, Maria Makgato and Kudzai Ndlovu, were killed, while a third victim escaped with injuries when they were shot at a dumping site at Onverwacht farm in July last year.

Judge Jane Ngobeni says the court will be mandated to impose life imprisonment should the accused be found guilty on the particular charges.

“The state says that it was planned or pre-meditated and the state also alleges that you acted in the furtherance of a common purpose…and because of that – if you are convicted – if the court convicts you of these two counts of murder, the court is mandated to impose a life imprisonment upon each one of you.”

During proceeding, Olivier pleaded not guilty to the two counts of murder.

Defence lawyer Andries Rheeder says the state has no evidence to back the allegations against his client.

Pig farmer Zacharia Olivier has pled not guilty to charges of murder and attempted murder. Olivier also pleaded not guilty for defeating the admistration of justice. This after two women were shot and killed at his farm, their remains disposed inside a pigsty. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/FrwOERBl68

— Katlego Nyoni (@Katlegonyoni_) October 7, 2025

Meanwhile, charges against another accused, Rudolf De Wet, who worked as a supervisor at the farm, have since been dropped after he turned state witness.

Makgato’s family reacted with disappointment after charges were withdrawn, saying that they were devastated by the decision.

Accused turns witness in pig farm murders: