Investigating officer tells court that pig farmer Zachariah Olivier wanted to confess to the killings

The trial of a pig farmer accused of killing two women and disposing of their bodies in a pigsty will resume on Friday at the High Court in Polokwane, Limpopo.

The lead investigating officer, Captain Phaladi Makola, has told court that pig farmer Zachariah Olivier expressed his wish to confess to the killing of the two women.

The women, Maria Makgato and Kudzai Ndlovu, were shot and killed at a dumping site at Onverwacht farm outside Polokwane in August 2024.

Makola also testified that Olivier called the Sebayeng police station to report the crime.

Judge Jane Ngobeni has said that Makola is expected to continue his testimony when the trial-within-a-trial on the alleged confession resumes.

“The case against both of you is postponed till tomorrow the 27 of February 2026 for further hearing. You are both still remanded in custody and the witness Phaladi Makola, you are also warned for tomorrow 27 February 2026.”