Five men have been arrested after a farmer was shot, stabbed, brutally beaten and had both his ears hacked off during a farm robbery in South Africa.
Donovan Marx was attacked at his home in Syferfontein, near Ventersdorp in the North West province last Wednesday after three armed men wearing balaclavas confronted a farmworker.
The attackers reportedly approached the worker while he was mowing the lawn and demanded to know where the property's owner was before tying his hands and feet with cable ties.
When 50-year-old Mr Marx arrived in his red Isuzu pick-up truck, two of the attackers allegedly approached him and shot him in the upper body.
He was dragged into the house, tied up and repeatedly stabbed and assaulted. The attackers then hacked off both his ears.
The gang then searched the property, stole three firearms from a safe and fled in Mr Marx's vehicle.
The farmworker managed to free himself from his restraints and raise the alarm, while Mr Marx was rushed to Mediclinic Potchefstroom in a serious condition.
He underwent emergency surgery, with his family later confirming that part of his large intestine had been removed and that surgeons had been unable to save his ears.
Donovan Marx is pictured with his wife Louise, who lived together in a property in Syferfontein, near Ventersdorp in the North West province
Two of the five suspects are pictured tied up and lying on the floor after they were apprehended
The attackers fled the scene in Mr Marx's station wagon
A bullet had also passed through one of his kidneys, but doctors managed to save the organ.
His family said he remained stable in intensive care, although his injuries were severe and his recovery would require further medical attention.
Police arrested two suspects in the Ventersdorp area on Saturday before apprehending three more in Promosa, near Potchefstroom, on Sunday, 1 November.
The latest arrests were made by Ventersdorp detectives assisted by the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit following an intensive investigation.
Officers seized four firearms during the operation, two of which have been linked to the attack, as well as clothing and jewellery.
The five suspects, aged between 26 and 56, are expected to appear before the Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom Magistrates' Courts on Tuesday, 3 November.
They face charges including house robbery, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
North West Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Adams welcomed the arrests and praised the investigating officers, particularly the team led by Captain Bonita Dry.
Mr Marx was dragged into the house, tied up and repeatedly stabbed and assaulted, with his attackers hacking off both his ears
Mr Adams said: 'We commend the investigating team, under the command of Captain Bonita Dry, for their persistence and determination in following up on leads, which have resulted in further arrests and the recovery of firearms and other items of evidential value.'
Ian Cameron, chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, also praised detectives, the Provincial Anti-Gang Unit and the community members who helped track down the suspects.
'Five arrests in a matter of days are significant progress,' he said.
He added that the priority now was to build a strong, properly investigated case that could withstand scrutiny in court.
Mr Cameron also thanked local farm watches, farmers, private security personnel and members of the public who assisted police, saying their cooperation had helped achieve the breakthrough.
He extended his thoughts to Mr Marx, his wife Louise, their family and the farmworker who was also attacked, while urging the public to respect their privacy and avoid interfering with the investigation.
Mrs Marx previously thanked people for their support, saying: 'We are overwhelmed by your love. We have no words. We trust in the Lord for strength and healing.
'Our greatest wish is simply that Donovan rests and recovers.'
The family has also appealed for privacy while he continues his treatment and police investigate the attack.
Source link
