South African police have arrested five suspects following a violent farm robbery in which a 50-year-old cattle farmer was shot, stabbed and severely assaulted in the country’s North West province.
The victim, identified as Donovan Marx, was attacked last Wednesday at his farm in Ventersdorp after returning home and encountering armed men who had reportedly targeted the property.
According to police, the attackers first confronted a farm worker who was mowing the lawn and demanded to know Marx’s whereabouts. They tied the worker’s hands and feet with cable ties before waiting for the farmer to arrive.
When Marx returned, two of the suspects allegedly shot him in the upper body before dragging him into the house, restraining him and stabbing him. His ears were also cut off during the assault.
The attackers reportedly searched the property, took three firearms from a safe and escaped in the farmer’s vehicle.
The farm worker later managed to free himself and alert authorities. Marx was rushed to hospital, where he remains under medical care. Reports indicate that he may require prosthetic ears after surgeons were unable to save them.
Police confirmed that all five suspects, aged between 26 and 56, were arrested over the weekend. Officers also recovered four firearms, two of which are believed to be connected to the incident, alongside clothing and jewellery.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Courts on Tuesday. They face charges including house robbery, attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
South Africa’s Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp condemned the attack, while the victim’s family welcomed the arrests and called for the legal process to take its course.
