Defence attorney Ken Klopper told the Western Cape High Court his defence had been based on a “scenario” given to him by his client.
Klopper said that after consulting with Oliver, a new scenario was given and was subsequently ethically obliged to withdraw his legal representation in this matter.
“This is not the matter of a little admission, but in essence a different scenario to the one that I was originally given,” says Klopper.
Oliver, 28, is on trial for the robbery, rape and murder of the 16-year-old Franziska Blöchliger.
Franziska was attacked on 7 March while jogging in the Tokai forest.
Oliver confessed to robbing her, but claims he left her alive and "breathing".
Klopper said he learnt of this new “scenario” during an adjournment Judge Kate Savage granted him to speak to his client.
“I understand my client would want me to stay on, but I cannot continue under the new instruction,” Klopper said.
Klopper did not disclose what Oliver told him and declined to provide comment following court proceedings.
Savage postponed the trial to Wednesday and instructed that transcripts of proceedings be made available to Oliver’s new lawyer.
Oliver is to remain in custody until his next court appearance.