Two Suspects Arrested Following Brutal Farm Attack in Ventersdorp That Left Farmer Without Ears
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Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a brutal farm attack in Syferfontein, near Ventersdorp in the North West, which left a 50-year-old cattle farmer seriously injured after he was shot, stabbed and tortured during a house robbery.
The arrests were confirmed on Saturday, 31 October 2026, following an investigation into the attack on farmer Donovan Marx, which occurred on Wednesday, 28 October.
North West police commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams welcomed the arrests and commended the investigating team for its efforts in tracing those suspected of being involved in the incident.
Police have not yet disclosed the identities of the two arrested suspects or provided details about when they are expected to appear in court.
Details of the farm attack
According to information released by police, the attack took place at approximately 08:30 on Wednesday morning at Marx’s farm in Syferfontein, between Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom.
Three armed men wearing balaclavas reportedly emerged from behind the farmhouse while a farmworker was busy mowing the lawn.
The suspects allegedly pointed their firearms at the worker and demanded to know the whereabouts of the farm owner.
The worker’s hands and feet were subsequently tied with cable ties before he was taken to the back of the house.
Marx later arrived at the property in his red single-cab Isuzu bakkie. Two of the suspects reportedly approached him and shot him in the upper body.
The attackers then allegedly dragged him into the farmhouse, where they tied his hands and feet before stabbing and assaulting him.
During the attack, Marx was also subjected to severe violence, including having both his ears cut off.
The suspects searched the house and removed three firearms from a safe before fleeing the property in Marx’s Isuzu bakkie.
The farmworker eventually managed to free himself and raise the alarm, resulting in assistance being arranged for the injured farmer.
Farmer remains in hospital following surgery
Marx was transported to Mediclinic Potchefstroom, where he underwent emergency surgery for his injuries.
His family confirmed on Saturday that he remained in a stable condition in the intensive care unit, although his injuries were still serious.
According to the family, surgeons were unable to save his ears, and prosthetic reconstruction may be considered in the future, depending on his recovery and further medical assessments.
The family also confirmed that doctors removed part of his large intestine during surgery.
The family has appealed to members of the public to respect their privacy and avoid spreading unverified information about the incident and Marx’s injuries.
Police investigation continues
Police initially opened cases of house robbery and attempted murder following the attack.
The arrest of two suspects represents a significant development in the investigation, although police have not yet confirmed whether a third suspect is still being sought.
Investigators have also not publicly confirmed whether the three firearms or the stolen Isuzu bakkie have been recovered.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack and identify everyone involved.
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