Warning: This report contains graphic details of violence and serious injuries.
Donovan Marx, the 50-year-old farmer who was shot, stabbed and mutilated during an attack on his farm near Ventersdorp, has suffered a medical setback, according to his family.
The family said Marx remained in a stable condition, but that his recovery had become more complicated and challenging after emergency surgery and initial stabilisation.
In a statement issued late on Tuesday night, the family said the setback had resulted in further investigations and treatment by his medical team.
“The family confirms that Donovan is currently in a stable condition, but that his recovery process remains complicated and challenging. His medical team is continuously monitoring his condition, and the family is in communication with the relevant medical personnel regarding his further treatment and recovery,” the statement said.
Marx’s wife, Louise, thanked members of the public for their prayers, messages and support. She asked people to continue praying for her husband and for the doctors responsible for important decisions about his care.
She said the family remained hopeful despite the latest setback.
“Words cannot describe how grateful we are for every prayer, message, call and gesture of love that we have received. We are currently experiencing an incredibly difficult time, but the support from so many people gives us strength and courage to face each day,” Louise said.
“We ask that you please continue to pray for Don, especially for his recovery and for the doctors who must make important decisions about his treatment. We trust in the Lord for strength, wisdom and healing, and we hold on to hope that Don will come through this difficult time.”
The family has asked the public to respect Marx’s privacy while he continues receiving treatment and while police investigate the attack.
Four accused in court
The medical update came as four men appeared in the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court in connection with the attack on Marx and a farmworker.
Phindile Alex Nomngcayi, 30, Thomas Thabo Motlhangtlhong, 27, Mothoka Godfrey Mathipa, 56, and Mokhema Jan Maishoane, 53, face charges arising from what the State described as a planned and premeditated offence.
The accused face charges of attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, assault and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
A fifth person who was initially arrested has become a State witness, according to the case details presented in court.
The four men are accused of attacking Marx at his Syferfontein farm near Ventersdorp in the North West on Wednesday, 28 October.
The State alleges that the men first attacked farmworker Christopher Jinga. They allegedly tied him up with cable ties while waiting for Marx to return to the property.
When Marx arrived, the attackers allegedly dragged him into the house, shot and stabbed him, and cut off both his ears.
They then allegedly ransacked the property, removed three firearms from a safe and fled in Marx’s bakkie.
According to the charge sheet, the accused were found in possession of several firearms and 222 live rounds of ammunition. The court also heard that the serial numbers on two of the firearms had been filed off.
The charges remain allegations and the accused have not been convicted. They are entitled to challenge the State’s case in court.
Details of the attack
Marx was attacked after returning to his farm near Ventersdorp. The attackers are alleged to have targeted the property during the morning while his wife was away.
The South African Police Service previously said a group of masked men approached a farmworker who was mowing the lawn. The men allegedly demanded to know where Marx was before tying the worker’s hands and feet with cable ties.
When Marx arrived, two of the suspects allegedly approached him and shot him in the upper body. He was then allegedly dragged into the house, tied up and stabbed.
The attackers are accused of cutting off his ears before taking firearms and leaving in his vehicle.
The farmworker later managed to free himself and call for assistance. Marx was taken to Mediclinic Potchefstroom, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Earlier updates said he had been stabilised and remained in critical care. His pain had improved, but the injuries were serious.
The family has since provided additional information about the extent of Marx’s injuries and corrected false claims that circulated after the attack.
According to the family’s earlier update, Marx was shot in the back, with the bullet passing through a kidney. An injury to his colon required part of the organ to be surgically removed. He was also stabbed in the leg, while both ears were cut off and could not be saved surgically.
The family has rejected claims that Marx was castrated. It asked members of the public to stop circulating those claims and to avoid sharing unverified information about his condition.
Family appeals for privacy
The Marx family has thanked the communities, emergency personnel, medical staff and police officers involved since the attack.
A prayer gathering was held outside Mediclinic Potchefstroom after news of the attack spread. Residents from Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom also rallied around the family.
The family said the public support had provided strength during an extremely difficult time, but asked people to respect restrictions on hospital visits and avoid unnecessary calls for medical details.
It also urged anyone with relevant information to provide it directly to the South African Police Service or the family’s authorised legal representatives.
The family said the investigation was at a sensitive stage and asked people not to publicly discuss possible suspects, investigative leads or other details that could interfere with police work.
“The family remains committed to the pursuit of justice through the appropriate legal processes and expresses the hope that this tragic incident will once again draw attention to the serious consequences of violent crime for victims, their families and communities,” the family said.
The latest medical setback means Marx’s recovery will require continued monitoring, further treatment and additional medical decisions. His family has not provided a detailed prognosis or indicated when he might leave hospital.
The family has said that Marx is stable, but his condition remains serious and his recovery is expected to be difficult.
Firearms and ammunition seized
The court heard that the accused were allegedly found with firearms and 222 rounds of live ammunition.
Two firearms reportedly had their serial numbers filed off. The weapons and ammunition form part of the evidence expected to be considered as the case progresses.
Four firearms were seized during the police investigation, and two were linked by investigators to the attack, according to earlier reporting on the arrests.
Clothing and jewellery were also recovered during the operation, while the stolen bakkie and other evidence form part of the investigation.
The arrests followed an intensive police operation. Two suspects were arrested in the Ventersdorp area on Saturday, 31 October. Three more were arrested in Promosa near Potchefstroom on Sunday, 1 November.
The fifth arrested person is now expected to assist the State as a witness rather than stand alongside the four accused in the case.
The decision to use the fifth person as a State witness will be part of the prosecution’s case and may be challenged during the proceedings.
Previous conviction revealed
The court also heard that Mathipa had a previous conviction for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
He was convicted in 1999 and sentenced to 15 years in prison, according to the information presented in court.
The previous conviction is part of the court record, but it does not determine the outcome of the current charges. The present case must be decided on the evidence relating to the alleged attack on Marx and Jinga.
The accused face serious charges linked to the alleged assault, robbery, firearms and ammunition recovered during the investigation.
The State has described the incident as planned and premeditated. The defence will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations through the court process.
Community support continues
Farmers and community members gathered in large numbers outside the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court when the four men appeared.
The case has drawn widespread attention because of the severity of the alleged attack and the injuries suffered by Marx.
The family has urged supporters to focus on Marx’s recovery and to allow investigators and medical staff to do their work without interference.
Louise said the family was hopeful and grateful for the continued support. She asked people to pray for Marx and the medical team treating him.
The family’s latest statement did not give a timeline for the next stage of his recovery. It said only that further investigations and treatment were required after the medical setback.
Marx remains under medical care while the criminal case proceeds through the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court.
The accused remain innocent until proven guilty. The State will be required to present evidence supporting the charges, while the defence may challenge the allegations, the identification of the accused, the firearms evidence and the circumstances of the arrests.
For Marx’s family, the immediate priority remains his health. They have described his recovery as complicated and challenging and asked for continued prayers, privacy and support.