North West police have arrested three more suspects in connection with the brutal farm robbery and attempted murder of Ventersdorp farmer Donovan Marx, bringing the total number of arrests to five.
Marx was allegedly shot and brutally assaulted during the attack at his farm in Syferfontein last Wednesday. His ears were cut off during the ordeal, leaving him with severe injuries and a long road to recovery.
The latest arrests were made on Sunday in Promosa, near Potchefstroom, by Ventersdorp detectives assisted by members of the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit.
Police said the arrests followed intensive investigations and operational efforts to track down the people allegedly responsible for the attack.
Four firearms were seized during the operation. Police said two of the firearms have been linked to the Ventersdorp incident.
Clothing items and jewellery were also recovered and will form part of the evidence gathered by investigators.
The suspects have not yet appeared in court and remain presumed innocent unless convicted.
Three more arrests near Potchefstroom
The latest operation was carried out in Promosa after investigators followed up on leads connected to the Syferfontein attack.
North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh confirmed that the operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of weapons and other items.
“During the operation, police seized four firearms, of which two are linked to the Ventersdorp incident, as well as clothing items and jewellery,” Myburgh said.
The recovery of two firearms allegedly linked to the attack could become important evidence in the case.
Police will still have to establish how the weapons were used, who handled them and whether they can be connected to the shooting through ballistic and forensic testing.
The clothing and jewellery will also be examined to determine whether the items were taken during the robbery or are otherwise linked to the crime scene.
Police have not released details about the other two firearms recovered during the operation.
Five suspects face serious charges
The three latest arrests bring the total number of suspects arrested in connection with the incident to five.
The suspects are aged between 26 and 56.
They are expected to appear before the Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Courts on Tuesday.
The accused face charges of house robbery, attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The charges relate to the violent attack on Marx and the alleged removal of firearms and other property from the farm.
The State will have to prove the charges against each accused individually.
The court will also consider the circumstances of the arrests, the evidence linking each suspect to the incident and any bail applications that may be brought.
The suspects’ first appearance will not determine their guilt. It will mark the beginning of the formal court process.
Attack began with farmworker being held up
Earlier police information indicated that the attack began at approximately 08:30 last Wednesday at the Syferfontein farm near Ventersdorp.
A farmworker was reportedly 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 worker 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 attackers allegedly dragged him into the house, tied his hands and feet and stabbed and assaulted him.
They then searched the house and allegedly removed three firearms from a safe before fleeing in Marx’s bakkie.
The farmworker eventually managed to free himself and call for help.
Marx was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
He remains in a stable condition in intensive care at Mediclinic Potchefstroom, according to his family.
Surgeons removed part of his large intestine and were unable to save his ears. His family has said prosthetic ears may be considered once he has recovered sufficiently and doctors have completed further assessments.
Police commissioner praises detectives
North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Arthur Peter Adams welcomed the latest arrests and praised the detectives and the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit members involved in the operation.
Adams said the arrests showed the police’s commitment to ensuring that people responsible for violent crimes were brought to justice.
“We commend the investigating team, under the command of Captain Bonita Dry, for their persistence and determination in following up on leads, which have resulted in further arrests and the recovery of firearms and other items of evidential value,” he said.
Captain Bonita Dry is the Ventersdorp detective branch commander overseeing the investigation.
The recovery of the firearms and other items may help detectives strengthen the case before the accused appear in court.
Police will still need to determine whether more suspects were involved and whether the five people arrested played different roles during the alleged robbery and attack.
Family rejects false rumours
Marx’s family has appealed to the public to stop spreading false claims about his injuries.
They previously rejected social-media reports that his genitals had been removed, describing those claims as entirely untrue.
The family said Marx’s injuries were already extremely serious and urged people not to sensationalise his suffering or spread unverified information.
They have also asked the public to respect their privacy while Marx receives treatment and while the police investigation continues.
The family is cooperating with the authorities through its lawyers and has said it will not discuss sensitive details about possible suspects or investigative leads.
Marx’s wife, Louise, previously thanked South Africans for their prayers and 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.”
Investigation continues
The arrests represent a significant development in the investigation, but detectives are expected to continue gathering evidence before the case proceeds further.
Forensic investigators may examine the recovered firearms, clothing, jewellery and other items for fingerprints, DNA and ballistic links.
Police will also compare the evidence with statements from the farmworker, Marx and any other witnesses who may have information about the attack or the suspects’ movements before and after the robbery.
The court will ultimately decide whether the State has enough evidence to proceed against each accused and whether any of them should be released on bail.
At the latest update, five suspects aged between 26 and 56 had been arrested, four firearms had been seized and two of the weapons were allegedly linked to the Ventersdorp attack.
All five suspects were expected to appear in the Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Courts on Tuesday on charges of house robbery, attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.