The farm attack that shocked South Africa: Farmer brutally tortured, his ears cut off, and then shot in the back

Donovan Marx was attacked at his farm between Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom, which left him with a gunshot wound and several other serious injuries.

Ian Cameron, the chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, shared details about the brutal attack.

“Donovan was shot and stabbed, and his ears were cut off during an attack on his farm. A farmworker was also tied up,” he said.

He was also shot in the back from behind, and doctors were still attempting to remove the bullet this morning.

Marx is now fighting for his life in the Mediclinic hospital in Potchefstroom following the brutal farm attack.

Freedom Front Plus leader Corné Mulder said this was another example of a farm attack which was accompanied by severe violence and torture.

The violent nature of the attacks, he said, shows that they cannot be dismissed as ordinary crimes in South Africa.

“We renew our call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to acknowledge the reality of farm murders and to commit himself to action that prioritises addressing it,” he said.

“The President continues to deny farm murders and refuses to order that their prevention receives special attention.”

“As long as he refuses to put a stop to incitement to attack farmers, such as the singing of the song ‘Kill the Boer’, the attacks will continue.”

The Democratic Alliance has also condemned the attack on Marx, saying it highlights the serious safety challenges facing rural communities.

“Farm attacks, stock theft and other rural crimes threaten the lives and livelihoods of farmers, farmworkers, and their families,” it said.

“Rural communities deserve more than assurances. They deserve effective policing, accountability and the peace of mind.”

Farm attacks are unique: Ian Cameron

Cameron said that the torture of Donovan Marx showed why the unique characteristics of farm attacks demand focused, priority policing.

He said that, although not all farm attacks involve torture, it is a common occurrence where the brutality raises concerns.

“I have attended farm attack scenes where victims had boiling water poured over them, burned with clothing irons, or had holes drilled through their hands and feet,” he said.

“Some attacks involve victims being held captive and tortured for hours. I have seen the consequences of this cruelty firsthand.”

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

“The South African Police Service’s (SAPS’s) 2019 National Rural Safety Strategy recognises farm attacks as unique,” Cameron said.

He argued that dismissing farm attacks by pointing to other violent crime is an unfair comparison.

He also condemned 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,” he said.

Cameron called on the North West Police to prioritise Donovan’s case and support experienced detectives with forensic and intelligence capacity.

“Beyond this investigation, rural safety requires properly equipped police officers who can reach the people they are responsible for protecting,” he said.