NORTH WEST. — The family of Donovan Marx has expressed their gratitude to police and particularly police captain Bonita Dry following the arrest of two suspects in connection with the violent farm attack on Marx. His family is meanwhile making a serious appeal to the public to stop spreading false rumours about his injuries and recovery.
Marlene Steyn du Toit, legal representative of Louise and Donovan Marx of Steyn du Toit Inc., says the family appreciates the dedication, hard work and speed with which police have handled the investigation. Special recognition has been given to Capt. Dry, the investigating officer, for her professionalism, involvement and sustained efforts. The attack took place on 28 October, when Marx was shot and brutally assaulted on his farm in the Syferfontein area outside Ventersdorp.
The family says they have not yet been informed of the identity of the two suspects or the specific evidence against them. They emphasise that an arrest is not equivalent to a conviction and that the criminal process must take its proper course. The family also appeals to the public and media not to spread unfounded speculation or unverified information that could prejudice the ongoing investigation or possible court proceedings.
Louise and the family's immediate priority remains Donovan's medical treatment and recovery. They thank everyone who has helped through prayers, support and possible information. The family have said they trust that the investigation will be continued thoroughly and that justice will be served through the proper legal process.
The statement was issued on 31 October after two arrests were made. Three more suspects were arrested on Sunday.
Marx is currently in a stable condition in the intensive care unit of Mediclinic Potchefstroom. His family is grateful for his progress and the medical care he is receiving. His injuries, however, remain serious and his recovery will require time and further medical treatment. According to the family, Donovan was shot, kicked, beaten and stabbed with a knife during the attack. He has a gunshot wound to his back, where a bullet passed through his kidney and also caused damage to his colon, part of which had to be surgically removed. He also sustained a stab wound to his leg. Both his ears were traumatically amputated during the attack and could not be surgically saved. The family have been advised that prosthetic ear reconstruction may possibly be considered in the future, depending on further medical evaluation and his recovery.
The family has made it explicitly clear that claims on social media that Donovan's genitals were removed are entirely false. They appeal to people and organisations to stop these false claims immediately and not spread them further. The family emphasises that Donovan's actual injuries are already extremely serious and ask that his human dignity, privacy and the emotional wellbeing of his loved ones be respected.
Read the full statement below:
31 October 2026 | Potchefstroom
Family of Donovan Marx welcomes arrests and thanks SAPD for dedicated investigation
Louise Marx and the family of Donovan Marx note with gratitude the South African Police Service's (SAPS) announcement that two suspects were arrested on Saturday, 31 October 2026, in connection with the violent farm attack on Donovan on 28 October 2026.
The family express their sincere appreciation to the SAPS and all those involved in the investigation for the dedication, hard work and speed with which the case has been handled thus far.
Particular thanks and recognition are given to Captain Bonita Dry, the investigating officer, for her tireless involvement, professionalism and the seriousness with which she has approached the investigation. The family appreciate the long hours and sustained efforts of the investigation team to establish the facts and bring those possibly responsible for this serious crime to justice.
The family have not at this stage been informed of the identity of the two suspects or the specific evidence linking them to the attack.
The family understand that an arrest is not equivalent to a conviction or successful prosecution. The criminal process must take its proper course.
The family trust that the investigation will be continued thoroughly, that all relevant evidence will be properly collected and preserved and that the case will ultimately be decided on its merits by a competent court.
While the arrests represent a meaningful development, the family remain aware that important investigation and prosecution steps still lie ahead.
AN APPEAL FOR RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT
The family reiterate their appeal to the public and the media to refrain from unfounded speculation, the spreading of unverified information and any conduct that could prejudice the ongoing investigation or future court proceedings.
It is also requested that no assumptions be made about the identity, involvement or guilt of any person before the relevant facts are confirmed by the competent authorities.
The family will continue to work with the SAPS through their legal representatives and will not at this stage comment on possible evidence or the details of the investigation.
GRATITUDE AND FOCUS ON DONOVAN'S RECOVERY
Louise and the family are genuinely grateful to every person who has contributed to the collective effort through prayers, support, assistance and the provision of possible information.
Their immediate priority remains Donovan's medical treatment, recovery and wellbeing.
The family ask that South Africans will continue to pray for Donovan, his medical team and all those involved in the investigation.
"We are genuinely grateful for the hard work of the police and especially Captain Bonita Dry. We realise there is still a long road ahead, but appreciate every effort to ensure that the truth is established and that justice is served through the proper legal process. We ask that the investigation team be given the necessary space to conduct their work thoroughly."
— Louise Marx and family
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
