South Africa minister condemns brutal farm attack
Cattle farmer Donovan Marx was shot, stabbed, and had both ears cut off on his farm near Potchefstroom.
Agriculture minister Willie Aucamp has condemned the brutal attack on 50-year-old cattle farmer Donovan Marx, who was tortured on his farm between Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp on Wednesday. Marx was shot, stabbed, and had both of his ears severed before being left to recover in hospital.
Aucamp stated that the extreme cruelty of the attack highlights the challenges faced by rural communities and that such barbaric acts have no place in South Africa. He emphasized that farmers are the backbone of the nation's food security and that risks to their safety directly endanger the country's food supply.
The minister called for reinforced rural crime responses, including dedicated intelligence, specialised investigative teams, and increased police visibility. Ian Cameron, Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, also called for farm attacks to be recognised as violent crimes.
Why it mattersCattle farmer Donovan Marx suffered severe injuries including having both ears cut off during a violent farm attack.