Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the brutal farm robbery and attempted murder of Ventersdorp farmer Donovan Marx, who was allegedly shot and had his ears cut off during the attack.
The arrests follow an intensive investigation into the violent incident at a farm in Syferfontein, Ventersdorp, on Wednesday, 28 October 2026.
North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh confirmed the breakthrough and said Ventersdorp police had worked to trace the people allegedly responsible.
The suspects’ identities and ages have not been released, and police have not yet provided details about the charges they are expected to face.
The allegations against them have not been tested in court, and they are presumed innocent unless convicted.
Police investigation leads to arrests
Myburgh said the arrests followed a focused investigation by Ventersdorp police after Marx was violently attacked at his farm.
“The arrests follow an intensive investigation by Ventersdorp police into an incident that occurred on Wednesday, 28 October 2026,” she said.
The attack involved a shooting and the mutilation of Marx’s ears, leaving him with life-changing injuries and a long recovery ahead.
North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Peter Adams welcomed the arrests and praised the detectives involved in tracing the suspects.
Myburgh said Adams had “commended the investigating team for their swift and concerted efforts in ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.”
The arrests mark the first major development in the case since the attack and are expected to help investigators reconstruct what happened inside the farm property.
Police will still have to establish the alleged roles of each suspect, whether more people were involved and what happened to the firearms and other property allegedly taken during the robbery.
Marx remains in intensive care
Marx, 50, remains in a stable condition in intensive care at Mediclinic Potchefstroom, according to his family.
Surgeons removed part of his large intestine after the attack, and doctors were unable to save his ears.
The family said prosthetic ears may be considered in future, depending on Marx’s recovery and further medical assessments.
His injuries are understood to include a gunshot wound, stab wounds and severe assault-related trauma.
The family has asked the public to respect Marx’s dignity and privacy while he remains in hospital.
They said his condition was stable but that his injuries remained extremely serious and that his recovery would require time and further medical treatment.
Family rejects false social-media claims
The family has again rejected false claims circulating on social media about Marx’s injuries.
They said reports that his genitals had been removed were entirely untrue and urged members of the public to stop sharing the allegation.
The family warned that the false claims were adding unnecessary distress to an already painful situation.
They have asked people to rely on verified information and avoid repeating speculation about Marx’s medical condition or the police investigation.
The family is cooperating with police through its lawyers but said it would not discuss possible suspects, investigative leads or sensitive details that could affect the case.
Farm attack began with worker being held hostage
The attack occurred at approximately 08:30 on Wednesday morning at the Syferfontein farm near Ventersdorp.
Earlier police information indicated that a farmworker was mowing the lawn when three men wearing balaclavas and carrying firearms emerged from behind the house.
The men allegedly pointed their weapons at the worker and demanded to know where the farm owner was.
The farmworker was allegedly tied up with cable ties and taken to the back of the house.
Marx later arrived at the property in his red single-cab Isuzu bakkie.
Police said two of the men approached him and shot him in the upper body.
The alleged attackers then dragged Marx into the house, tied his hands and feet and stabbed and assaulted him.
They searched the house and allegedly removed three firearms from a safe before fleeing in Marx’s bakkie.
The farmworker eventually freed himself and called for help.
Marx was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
Police opened cases of house robbery and attempted murder.
The latest arrests are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation into those charges.
More suspects or evidence may follow
Although two suspects have been arrested, police have not said whether all the people involved in the attack are in custody.
The earlier account referred to three men at the farm, and detectives will now work to determine whether the two arrested suspects are among those alleged attackers and whether another suspect remains at large.
Investigators may also search for the stolen firearms, the farmer’s bakkie and any other property allegedly taken during the robbery.
Forensic evidence from the house, the farm and the vehicle may be used to connect the suspects to the scene.
Police are expected to compare witness accounts with medical evidence and information gathered during the arrest operation.
Police and farming community respond
The attack drew condemnation from North West police commissioner Lieutenant-General Arthur Peter Adams, who previously called for the community to assist police in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“The use of firearms and the brutal assault of an individual in the course of a robbery are serious criminal acts that will not be tolerated,” Adams said.
Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp also condemned the incident and sent his prayers to Marx, his family and the farming community.
“There is no place in our country for such senseless and barbaric acts,” Aucamp said.
The attack has renewed concern about the safety of farmers and farmworkers, particularly in cases where armed suspects allegedly use workers to gain information about the movements of farm owners.
Family thanks South Africans
Marx’s family has thanked South Africans for their messages, prayers and acts of kindness while he undergoes treatment.
His wife, Louise Marx, previously said the family had been overwhelmed by the support.
“We are overwhelmed by your love. We have no words. We trust in the Lord for strength and healing,” she said.
“Our greatest wish is simply that Donovan rests and recovers.”
The family said the support had helped them during an extremely difficult period, but asked the public to respect their privacy and allow investigators to do their work.
Marx remains in intensive care as doctors monitor his recovery.
The two arrested suspects are expected to face the criminal justice process, while police continue investigating the farm robbery and attempted murder.
At the latest update, two suspects had been arrested, Marx remained stable in hospital and detectives were still working to determine whether anyone else was involved in the Syferfontein attack.