North West Police Identify Suspects in Donovan Marx Farm Attack, Believe They Fled Province
- North West police identified suspects in the brutal farm attack on Ventersdorp cattle farmer and businessman Donovan Marx, 50
- A source close to the investigation said the suspects were known to police and believed to have fled to another province
- Farmers and businesses in the Ventersdorp area have put up a R40,000 reward for information leading to arrests
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NORTH WEST — Police have identified suspects believed to be responsible for the attack on Ventersdorp cattle farmer and businessman Donovan Marx, with investigators saying the men have likely crossed provincial borders since the incident.
A source close to the investigation told News24, which reported on the development on Friday, 30 October 2026, that the suspects were known to authorities and that police were actively pursuing them. No arrests had been announced by Friday afternoon.
"The team is currently heading to the province where the suspects have been spotted. They can run, but they can't hide. We are hot on their heels. We are going to catch them very soon," the source said.
The source added that the motive was believed to be financial, citing Marx's profile as a prominent local businessman. Preliminary investigations have found that farm employees were not involved.
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What happened on the Syferfontein Farm
North West police spokesperson Captain Majang Skalkie said three gunmen wearing balaclavas arrived at Marx's farm at Syferfontein, between Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom, at approximately 08:30 on Wednesday, 28 October 2026.
The attackers first encountered a farm employee mowing the lawn, pointed firearms at him, bound his hands and feet with cable ties and moved him to the rear of the property. When Marx arrived in a red single-cab Isuzu bakkie, two suspects shot him in the upper body, dragged him into the house, and bound, stabbed and further assaulted him. The attackers removed three firearms from a safe before fleeing in Marx's vehicle. The farmworker eventually freed himself and raised the alarm.
Police opened cases of house robbery and attempted murder.
View a post about his family's update on Facebook:
Marx's condition and reaction from Parliament
Parliamentary police portfolio committee chairperson Ian Cameron confirmed that Marx's injuries were serious, stating that one kidney was injured but saved during surgery, that both ears were cut off, and that he sustained a stab wound to his thigh.
Marx's wife, Louise, and his family issued a written statement confirming he had undergone surgery and was in a stable condition.
"Our greatest wish is that Donovan now receives the necessary rest, treatment and opportunity to recover," the family said.
Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp described the attack as "senseless and barbaric" and warned that ongoing violence against farmers and farmworkers placed the country's food security at direct risk.
"There is no place in our country for such senseless and barbaric acts," Aucamp said.
The source described the assault as a planned act of torture intended to force Marx to comply with the attackers' demands, noting it was carried out by individuals who had been monitoring the farmer in advance.
Farmers and businesses in the surrounding area have offered a R40,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of those responsible.
Dricus Du Plessis weighs in on NW farm attack
In a related article, Briefly News reported on Dricus du Plessis sharing Ian Cameron’s video on the reported farm attack on cattle farmer Donovan Marx in the North West.
Marx was reportedly shot and stabbed, while his ears were mutilated during the attack. A farm worker was also tied up but later freed himself and raised the alarm.
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Source: Briefly News
