Five arrested after South African farmer shot and tortured

What the report says

South African police have arrested five people in connection with a violent farm attack on Donovan Marx, a 50-year-old cattle farmer in Ventersdorp in North West province. BBC Africa reported that Marx was ambushed last Wednesday when he returned home after a house robbery at his farm.

According to police, masked men first confronted a farm worker, then waited for Marx before shooting him, tying him up, stabbing him and cutting off his ears. The suspects are also accused of ransacking the house, taking firearms from a safe and leaving with Marx’s van. Marx remains in hospital, and local reporting cited by BBC Africa said he may require prosthetic ears.

Family members welcomed the arrests and said the legal process should now proceed. South Africa’s agriculture minister condemned the attack, while the chair of parliament’s police committee praised the speed of the arrests and urged a strong case. The suspects, aged 26 to 56, are expected in court on Tuesday on charges including house robbery, attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

BBC Africa also noted that the case has reignited debate about farm violence and the long-discredited claim by some right-wing groups that white farmers are facing genocide in South Africa.