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Two suspects arrested over Ventersdorp farm attack on Donovan Marx

Published

Police are still looking for a third suspect after the Wednesday attack on farmer Donovan Marx, 50, who was shot and had his ears cut off. North West police said Marx's stolen vehicle was found abandoned in the Eleazer area.

Ventersdorp police made the arrests after an investigation into the attack at a farm in Syferfontein. North West police commissioner Lieutenant General Peter Adams welcomed the arrests in a statement on Saturday night. Captain Bonita Dry leads the investigation.

Police said three masked gunmen allegedly tied up a farmworker and then attacked Marx. Marx remains in hospital in Potchefstroom. Reports said the farmworker's call for help by cellphone may have saved his life.

Ian Cameron, chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, congratulated the investigation team. He said the team needed continued operational and specialist support to trace the remaining suspect. Cameron also said: "The contribution of local farm watches deserves particular recognition alongside the work of SAPS."

Key facts

Who
Peter Adams (Provincial Commissioner of the North West); Ventersdorp police (investigating police); Donovan Marx (North West farmer attacked during the robbery, remains in hospital in…); Ian Cameron (Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police)
What
Ventersdorp police arrested two suspects after an incident on Wednesday at a farm in Syferfontein in which a 50-year-old farmer was shot and mutilated. The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Peter Adams, welcomed the arrests.
When
2026-10-28 (incident on Wednesday; arrests reported 2026-10-31)
Where
Syferfontein, Ventersdorp, North West
Status
Reported

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