Latest news with #MankwengMagistrate'sCourt
The Citizen
05-08-2025
- The Citizen
Limpopo pig farm murder: Accused turns state witness
POLOKWANE – A dramatic development unfolded in the Polokwane High Court on Monday as the second accused in the Onverwacht pig farm double murder case turned state witness. Rudolf de Wet (20), a former farm supervisor, agreed to testify against his co-accused in exchange for immunity under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act. De Wet was originally charged alongside farm owner Zachariah Johannes Olivier (61) and employee William Musora (50) on two counts of premeditated murder, attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and defeating the ends of justice. Read more: Limpopo pig farm murder trial begins in Polokwane High Court The trial links to an incident in August 2024 when Maria Makgato and Lucia Ndlovu were shot and killed on the Onverwacht farm outside Polokwane while collecting food. It is alleged that their bodies were fed to pigs to destroy evidence. Zachariah Olivier (60) and his two employees Adriaan De Wet (19), and William Musoro (45) are expected to apply for bail in the Mankweng Magistrate's Court today. The trio stands accused of murdering Mariah Makgato (47) and Lucia Ndlovu (34) and feeding them to pigs on August 20. — Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) August 30, 2024 A third victim, Ndlovu's husband, survived the attack and is expected to testify. Read more: Pig farm double murder: Victim recalls 'traumatic experience' Read the full story in this week's Polokwane Observer.
The Citizen
04-08-2025
- The Citizen
Limpopo pig farm murder trial begins in Polokwane High Court
LIMPOPO – The trial against a Limpopo farm owner and his two employees accused of killing two women and feeding their bodies to pigs is expected to start in the Polokwane High Court today. Read more: Polokwane High Court to hear pig farm murder case The trial is expected to last until next Friday (August 15). The farm owner Zachariah Olivier, his employees Rudolph De Wet and William Musora, are alleged to have shot and killed Maria Makgato and Lucia Ndlovu and dumped their bodies in a pigsty at the Onvervaght farm in Sebayeng outside Polokwane in August last year. Read more: Women's bodies found decomposed on farm outside Mankweng The three face charges of murder, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice. Musora, a Zimbabwean national, was allegedly the one who found the bodies while reporting for work. He also faces an illegal immigration charge. The matter was last heard before the Mankweng Magistrate's Court in February and was transferred to the Polokwane High Court. Makgato and Ndlovu were shot while collecting expired food at the farm. Ndlovu's husband, Mabutho Ncube, who was with them at the time, was also shot, but survived the incident. Read more: Pig farm double murder: Victim recalls 'traumatic experience'
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- The Citizen
Court points out inconsistencies, denies bail for former Limpopo teacher accused of rape
'At first, the applicant indicated that he quit his job in order to accommodate the victim and to avoid being in the same school with her.' A former Limpopo teacher accused of raping a 13-year-old learner will remain behind bars after he was denied bail. The 58-year-old man appeared in by the Mankweng Magistrate's Court on Tuesday to hear the outcome of his bail application. Former Limpopo teacher rejected bail in rap case Although the accused maintained that he was not a flight risk and would not interfere with state witnesses, Magistrate Venus Makhuvele found inconsistencies in the statements he made during the bail proceedings. 'There is contradictory statement in this regard. At first, the applicant indicated that he quit his job in order to accommodate the victim and to avoid being in the same school with her. 'On the other hand, he cited the issue of him wanting to pursue his ancestral calling as the reason for his resignation. 'It is clear that this issue of his ancestral calling only came about after the applicant learned about the charges against him,' she said. ALSO READ: Man sentenced to four life terms for raping four young boys Makhuvele concluded that the accused had not demonstrated any exceptional circumstances that would justify his release on bail. 'The applicant, in my view, has failed to discharge the onus placed on him in terms of seeking 60(11)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act. 'Therefore, bail is dismissed and since your bail application is dismissed accused you are to remain in custody.' The matter has been postponed to 20 June for a trial date. Arrest and Case Background The 58-year-old was arrested on 31 March after evading authorities. He is accused of raping a 13-year-old student from a primary school in the Capricorn South Education District on multiple occasions between November 2024 and 7 March. The matter surfaced on 27 March when another teacher took the learner to her mother and disclosed the alleged abuse. READ MORE: Cwecwe rape case: Police officials grilled as suspect still not identified A rape case was then opened for investigation. Following this, the former teacher fled. According to the South African Police Service (Saps), the accused pretended to be heading to the police station but instead drove away in his car. He later claimed to be in Hammanskraal, Pretoria, but could not be contacted as his phone was switched off. The Limpopo Department of Education later confirmed that the accused has resigned from his position.
