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Fifth suspect in Donovan Marx farm attack to be State witness

Published

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams said a fifth suspect will testify for the State. Four other accused appeared in the Ventersdorp Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, and the case was postponed to 13 November for bail proceedings.

The four accused face charges of attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, assault and firearm possession. They are Phindile Alex Nomngcayi, 30, Thomas Thabo Motlhangtlhong, 27, Mothoka Godfrey Mathipa, 56, and Mokhema Jan Maishoane, 53. The charge sheet says the men had 222 live rounds of ammunition.

Adams said the fifth man was not actively involved in the crime. He said the man knew something was happening, but what he knew was sketchy. Adams said that was not enough for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to build a strong case against him.

Farmer Donovan Marx, 50, was shot, stabbed and had his ears cut off in the attack at his Syferfontein farm on 28 October. Three firearms were stolen from a safe at his house. Police seized four firearms in an arrest on Sunday that they link to the attack.

The State says the attack was planned and premeditated. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel attended the hearing. He said farm attacks and brutal torture must not become a statistic, and he criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa for staying quiet.

Key facts

Who
Donovan Marx (farmer shot, stabbed and had his ears cut off in the attack at his…); Arthur Peter Adams (provincial police commissioner (Lieutenant General)); Phindile Alex Nomngcayi (accused, 30); Thomas Thabo Motlhangtlhong (accused, 27)
What
Four men accused of attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, assault and firearm possession in the attack on farmer Donovan Marx appeared in the Ventersdorp Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, and the case was postponed to 13 November for bail proceedings. Adams said the fifth man was not actively involved in the crime and that the NPA did not have enough for a strong case against him.
When
3 November 2026
Where
Ventersdorp, Syferfontein farm, North West
Status
Reported

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