Four men accused over Donovan Marx farm attack drop bail bid
The four accused were arrested after the cattle farmer was shot, stabbed and had both ears cut off on his farm near Ventersdorp.
Four men accused of attacking North West farmer Donovan Marx abandoned their bail application at the Ventersdorp Regional Court on Friday, 13 November. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the state had been ready to proceed.
The accused are Phindile Nomngcayi, 30; Thomas Motlhangtlhong, 27; Mothoka Mathipa, 56; and Mokhema Maishane, 53. They face charges including robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The NPA said one other person had been withdrawn as an accused after evidence linking him was found insufficient, and he has offered to testify for the state.
The case was postponed to 15 February 2027 for further investigations, and the accused remain in custody. Marx, 50, was discharged from Mediclinic Potchefstroom on Thursday, 12 November, 16 days after the attack on his farm on 28 October.
Why it mattersThe accused stay in custody until at least 15 February 2027, so the farming community near Ventersdorp must wait nearly three months for the case to move forward.