Police make breakthrough in brutal attack where farmer's ears were cut off – two arrested

North West police have arrested two suspects following a brutal farm robbery in Ventersdorp in which a 50-year-old farmer was shot and had his ears cut off.

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a brutal farm robbery and attempted murder in Ventersdorp, North West, during which a 50-year-old farmer was shot and had his ears cut off during the attack.

The arrests follow an intensive police investigation into the violent incident, which occurred on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at a farm in Syferfontein, Ventersdorp.

North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh confirmed the arrests, saying investigators had worked to track down those allegedly responsible for the attack.

According to Myburgh, the arrests followed an intensive investigation conducted by Ventersdorp police after the farmer was violently attacked.

"The arrests follow an intensive investigation by Ventersdorp police into an incident that occurred on Wednesday, 28 October 2026," she said.

The attack involved both a shooting and the mutilation of the victim's ears.

North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Peter Adams has welcomed the arrests and praised the investigating officers for their efforts in tracing the suspects.

Myburgh said Adams had "commended the investigating team for their swift and concerted efforts in ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice."

Donovan Marx remains stable in intensive care at Mediclinic Potchefstroom, where surgeons also removed part of his large intestine, his family said

Donovan Marx, the 50-year-old Ventersdorp farmer brutally attacked on his farm, remains in a stable condition in intensive care at Mediclinic Potchefstroom. His family says surgeons had to remove part of his large intestine and were unable to save his ears, meaning prosthetics may be considered once he has recovered sufficiently.

In a statement issued through their lawyers, the family dismissed social media claims that Marx’s genitals had been removed as entirely false, and urged the public to stop spreading misinformation and speculation.

They said they were supporting the police investigation and thanked South Africans for their messages, kindness and prayers as Marx begins a lengthy recovery.