Victims’ Family Disappointed After 2 of the Pig Farm Murder Suspects’ Cases Are Withdrawn

• The family members of Maria Makgato, who was killed and whose remains were found in a Limpopo pig farm, were heartbroken and disappointed
• Those who were after the three men accused of killing Makgato and Kudzai Ndlovu appeared before the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane
• One suspect was set free after his case was dropped, and the family members slammed the criminal justice system

With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

POLOKWANE, LIMPOPO — A family member of Maria Makgato, who was killed with Kudzai Ndlovu and their bodies disposed of on a pig farm in Limpopo, broke down in tears after one of the suspects for the murder case was set free on 7 August 2025. Their bodies were found in the pigsty on 21 August 2025.

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Rudolph De Wet, farm owner Zacharia Olivier, and William Musora appeared before the Limpopo High Court in Polokwane for Ndlovu and Makgato's murder. The two were killedand their bodies were found on a farm outside of Plokwane in August 2024. The state withdrew its case against De Wet in exchange for his testimony as he turned state witness.

The judge, Francis Kganyago, postponed the matter to 17 October when the trial is expected to begin. The state did not oppose the postponement. Olivier and Musora face two counts of murder, attempted murder, defeating the administration of justice, possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and illegal immigration for Musora. They remain in custody.

What you need to know about the pig farm murder

• Olivier, De Wet, and Musora appeared before the Mankweng Magistrates Court on 30 August 2024 after they were arrested for Makgato and Ndlovu's murder
• An advocate assisted the families of the victims, and a backabuddy campaign was launched to assist the families financially
• The trio remained in jail after they lost their attempt to be released on bail on 10 September
• The suspects filed an application on 2 October to bar the media from their court proceedings as they feared for their lives
• Olivier broke down in tears when he appeared on 22 November, and at some point failed to stand during proceedings

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What did South Africans say?

South Africans commenting on Facebook were dismayed by the judge's ruling.

Chipane Masemola said:

"Sometimes our judiciary is failing us."

Itshokeng Sue Kekana said:

"The Zimbabwean guy is going to take the fall in this case."

You Can Be said:

"Still, he won't be as free on the outside as he thinks. Imagine walking or driving in the neighbourhood where people know you committed such a heinous crime."

Peter Mapuwei said:

"He has a good lawyer."

Bishop Tshepo Maake said:

"He is not linked to the matter. Maybe he was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Thuli Madonsela weighs in on Limpopo farm murder case

In a related article, Briefly News reported that former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela weighed in on the pig farm murder case on 30 August 2025. She slammed the court for not consistently naming the accused after their appearances.,

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Madonsela said the media must consistently name all accused persons as permissible under the law. She cited the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to support her take.

Kiara-Joy Daniels’ father remembers her selfless spirit

Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that the father of Kiara-Joy Daniels described his daughter as a devoted person who always puts others first. The 16-year-old Kiara-Joy was among four teenagers tragically killed in a car crash on Saturday, 3 August 2025, in Brackenfell, Western Cape. Her father, Phillip Daniels Fabe, has now opened up about the type of person she was, as well as how the family is dealing with her death.

Speaking after her death, he recalled how his daughter was a people person who would help anyone.

“She would give her last to anybody, and she will never keep anything for herself. She was a caring child. She cared about us, cared about me, cared about my health - she will always worry about herself last," he said.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News