NORTH WEST. – Four of the five suspects in connection with the violent farm attack on farmer Donovan Marx (50) appeared in the Ventersdorp Magistrate's Court and remain in custody. The fifth suspect, a 26-year-old man, has become a state witness.
According to police spokesperson, Col. Adéle Myburgh, Alex Phimdile Nomngcayi (29), Mothoka Godfrey Mathipa (56), Mokhema Jan Maishone (53) and Thabo Thomas Motlhonglong (27) will appear in court again on 13 November. The case relates to the attack on Marx on 28 October at his farm in the Syferfontein area near Ventersdorp. Three armed attackers allegedly assaulted and bound a farm worker before shooting Marx when he arrived at the farm. He was then dragged into the house, bound, stabbed and assaulted. His ears were cut off during the attack.
Marx was seriously injured and was treated in the high care unit of a Potchefstroom hospital. His family confirmed that surgeons could not save his ears and that prosthetic reconstruction may possibly be considered later.
The police confirmed earlier that five suspects were arrested in connection with the attack. Marx's stolen vehicle was also recovered, while four firearms were confiscated during the investigation, two of which are linked to the attack.
Lindiwe Mabasa, NPA spokesperson, says the accused are being tried on charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, assault, discharging a firearm, possession of unlicensed firearms and unlawful possession of ammunition. The case has been postponed for a bail application.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
