Pig farm murder suspects bail application postponed to 6 November

Pig farm

Cape Town —  The three men who are accused of killing Maria Makgato and Lucia Ndlovu, saw their bail applications delayed, pending further investigations.

Zachariah Olivier, Rudolph de Wet and William Musora appeared in the Polokwane Regional Court where they were set to apply for bail. However, the matter was postponed for further investigations and will be sent back to the Mankweng regional court, TimesLIVE reported.

They are all faced with two counts of murder, attempted murder, defeating the ends of justice and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. Musora also faces charges of contravention of the Immigration Act.

The state said it was ready for the bail applications, but Olivier’s lawyer, Andries Rheeder, said the prosecution was delaying the process.

“We are held at bay pending finalisation of the appeal,” he told the court.

The Mankweng regional court had previously ruled that Rheeder should be granted access to statements made while Olvieier was in custody.

He said he would not apply for bail until he received the statement, which the state appealed at the Polokwane High Court.

The outcome of the appeal will determine whether Olivier will get the statement for bail purposes.

The attorney for De Wet and Musora, Muhammad Farouk, said it would be reckless to apply for bail for his clients because the charge sheet says all three men are charged under a common purpose.

He told the court they would have proceeded but the fact that they are charged under common purpose would have a detrimental effect.

According to Newzroom Afrika, presiding officer, Felleng Ntilane, granted the application to postpone the case until 6 November.

“Even though the state is ready to proceed, the state is not the applicant. If the applicants are not ready, I see no reason why the court can force the bail application proceedings,” she said.

She said the decision of the High Court may have an impact on the bail applications and the application to postpone the matter is granted.

“The matter is now referred back to Mankweng that the accused persons will appear in Mankweng District Court A on 6 November 2024 for further investigations,” she added.

The suspects will remain in custody until 6 November.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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