POTCHEFSTROOM – While the brutally assaulted farmer from North West, Donovan Marx, is fighting for his life in a hospital in Potchefstroom, the debate on farm attacks and rural safety is back into the national spotlight. During the attack the 50-year-old Marx was viciously tortured – he was apparently shot twice, stabbed with a sharp object, and his ears cut off.

According to information, the attack took place on Wednesday 28 October at around 08:30 on Syferfontein between Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom. During the assault, one of the farm workers was tied up with cable ties by the attackers but later managed to free himself and raise the alarm.

Farm attacks demand focused policing

“The reported torture of Donovan Marx shows why the unique characteristics of farm attacks demand focused, priority policing,” said MP and chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron.

Cameron said that although not every farm attack involves torture, he had personally attended scenes after farm attacks where victims had boiling water poured over them, were burnt with clothing irons, or had holes drilled through their hands and feet. Some attacks involve victims being held captive and tortured for hours.

“The duration and severity of that violence, combined with rural isolation and the distance from assistance, require a response designed for those circumstances.”

He said the 2019 National Rural Safety Strategy of the South African Police Service recognises farm attacks as unique.

“Dismissing farm attacks by pointing to other violent crime is an unfair comparison. Other crimes are extremely serious, and demanding that farm attacks receive dedicated attention does not make any other victim less important.

“I also reject the use of ‘Kill the Boer’ on political stages and any celebration of farm murders on social media. Political leaders should condemn the glorification of violence, not participate in it or make excuses for it,” Cameron emphasised.

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Extreme violence and torture

In a media statement from the FF Plus, leader Dr Corné Mulder said the FF Plus has repeatedly pointed out that farm attacks are frequently accompanied by extreme violence and torture – as was the case here – and therefore cannot be dismissed as ordinary crime.

“The party once again calls upon President Cyril Ramaphosa to acknowledge the reality of farm murders and to commit to taking action that prioritises addressing this issue. As long as the country’s president denies the existence of farm murders and refuses to order that this phenomenon be given special attention – and as long as he refuses to put a stop to the incitement of attacks against farmers, such as the singing of the song ‘Kill the Boer’ – these attacks will continue,” Mulder stated.

No one in high position talking about farm murders

Human rights activist Petrus Phakamile Sitho, who raises awareness about farm killings, wrote an open letter on his Facebook page addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Sitho wrote amongst other things that he knows the President does not care about farm killings or farm attacks.

“We have seen many farm attacks and farm killings, and there is no one in a high position in government who talks about it – including you, Mr President. A few weeks ago, there was a farm killing – Hannetjie van Zyl. She was brutally beaten and later died in hospital. We have never seen you on national television talk about that. NEVER.

“We saw when activist Petrus Sitho asked you about farm killings, you shouted, ‘SHUUUT UP, SHUUUT UP’ outside Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape. When we tried to raise awareness of farm attacks and farm killings with the international community, we saw the South African government try to silence us.”

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Insufficient to merely express concern

In their response, AfriForum said the incident once again underscores the necessity for the government to acknowledge the seriousness of farm attacks and to implement a targeted strategy to combat these crimes.

The organisation states that it is insufficient for the South African Police Service and politicians merely to express their concern following an attack such as this. Such statements must be followed by effective crime prevention, thorough investigations, and the successful prosecution of perpetrators.

According to Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s chief spokesperson for Community Safety, farm attacks can no longer be treated as ordinary criminal incidents when victims are subjected to extreme violence of this nature.

AfriForum points out that the isolated location of many farms and smallholdings renders residents particularly vulnerable when violent criminals strike. Consequently, the organisation reiterates its call for farm attacks to be officially classified as priority crimes, and for a dedicated national strategy to be implemented to prevent such attacks, strengthen investigations, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

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Suspects still at large

Captain Majang Skalkie, police spokesperson in the North West, said the police in Ventersdorp have launched an investigation into a case of house robbery and attempted murder following the incident at Syferfontein.

Skalkie said that according to information, the incident occurred at approximately 08:30 when a farm employee was mowing the lawn and was approached by three unknown men who allegedly emerged from behind the house. The suspects, whose faces were covered with balaclavas, were armed with firearms.

Marx’s wife, Louise, had left the farm before 08:00 to go to town for work. The couple apparently have no children.

The suspects allegedly pointed their firearms at the employee and demanded to know the whereabouts of the farm owner. They then tied his hands and feet with cable ties and took him to the back of the house.

Marx then arrived in his single-cab Isuzu bakkie. Two of the suspects allegedly approached him and shot him in the upper body. They then dragged him inside the house, tied his hands and feet with cable ties, and allegedly stabbed and further assaulted him.

The suspects proceeded to search the house and took three firearms from a safe before fleeing the scene in the red Isuzu bakkie with registration number DJK 756 NW.

The farm worker managed to free himself and called for assistance, after which Marx was admitted to hospital in a serious condition.

Assistance requested

Skalkie said no arrests have been made, and the investigation continues as police work to trace the suspects.

Provincial Commissioner of the North West, Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams, condemned the violent attack and called on members of the community to assist the police in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

“The use of firearms and the brutal assault of an individual in the course of a robbery are serious criminal acts that will not be tolerated,” Adams said.

• Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation can contact the investigating officer, Captain Bonita Dry, the Ventersdorp Detective Branch Commander, on 082 373 7781.
• Alternatively, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or report information anonymously through the MySAPS App. All information will be treated confidentially.