South African Farmer Sh0t, St∆bbed, Beaten, Had Both Ears Cut Off In Brut∆l Farm Att∆ck; Five Arrested
South African Farmer Shot, Stabbed, Beaten, Had Both Ears Cut Off In Brutal Farm Attack; Five Arrested
The attack occurred on the morning of Wednesday, October 28, at Marx’s farm in the Syferfontein area between Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom.
Five suspects aged between 26 and 56 have been arrested in connection with the brutal attack on a 50-year-old South African farmer, Donovan Marx, at his farm in North West Province.
Two suspects were arrested in the Ventersdorp area on Saturday, October 31, while three others were apprehended in Promosa, near Potchefstroom, on Sunday, November 1.
During the latest arrests, police recovered four firearms, two of which have been linked to the attack, as well as clothing and jewellery believed to be connected to the incident.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, November 3, on charges including house robbery, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The attack occurred on the morning of Wednesday, October 28, at Marx’s farm in the Syferfontein area between Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom.
According to police, three armed men wearing balaclavas approached a farmworker who was mowing the lawn, tied him up with cable ties and waited for Marx to arrive.
When the farmer drove into the property in his red Isuzu bakkie, the attackers allegedly shot him in the upper body before dragging him into the house.
They reportedly stabbed and assaulted him and cut off both his earlobes before stealing firearms from a safe and fleeing in his vehicle.
The bakkie was later recovered abandoned.
Marx remains in a stable condition in the intensive care unit at Mediclinic Potchefstroom.
His family confirmed that surgeons removed part of his large intestine but were unable to save his ears. Prosthetic options may be considered after he recovers sufficiently.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Arthur Peter Adams, had described the attack as brutal and sadistic, welcoming the initial arrests as a breakthrough in the investigation.
The latest arrests bring the number of suspects apprehended in connection with the attack to five, while investigations continue.
