An elderly couple was brutally assaulted and tortured during a farm attack in the Broederstroom area in the North West on Sunday (November 1). 

According to the SRU Strategic Response Rescue Unit, the husband and wife were assaulted in an attempt to force them to surrender their firearms. 

“Aerial drone operations were deployed to assist with the initial assessment and search of the surrounding area. No suspects were located at the scene during the initial response.” 

The SRU said that it was concerned about the theft of privately owned firearms during these attacks. 

“These weapons may potentially be used in further criminal activities, placing neighbouring farms, residents, businesses and security personnel at additional risk.” 

Recent violent attacks across North West 

The attack comes days after the Potchefstroom Herald reported that cattle farmer Donovan Marx was shot, stabbed and severely injured on his farm between Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp on Wednesday (October 28). His ears were also cut off. 

The five suspects, aged between 26 and 56, were arrested over the weekend and are expected to appear in the Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom magistrates’ courts, respectively, today (November 3). 

They face charges of house robbery, attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. 

Last month, Network News reported that Hannetjie van Zyl (55) was killed in an alleged farm attack in Ottosdal in the North West. 

She was stabbed with an unknown object while attempting to open a gate at Doornpan Farm.  
Two men, Martin Boitumelo Mosime (28) and Moleko Sekwaage (29), were arrested and face charges of murder and robbery. 

The matter is being heard in the Bloemhof Periodical Court. 

Calls for prioritisation 

Free State Agriculture (FSA) has condemned the attacks in the North West, saying they highlight the serious threat facing rural communities. 

The organisation also recorded incidents in Dewetsdorp in the Free State, where an emerging farmer and two farm workers were murdered within six weeks. 

It believed the murders were directly linked to stock theft. 

Francois Wilken, president of the FSA, said he supported Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp’s appeal to treat farm attacks as priority crimes. 

“The government must prove its seriousness by establishing sufficient resources, rapid police response, thorough investigations and successful prosecution,” added Wilken. 

Motorcycle community plans solidarity rally 

In response to the attack on Marx, the motorcycle community is planning a nationwide rally on December 6 to show solidarity against farm attacks. 

According to Middelburg Observer, the initiative comes from South Africans David and Lientjie Swanepoel, who have lived in Ireland for the past four years. 

Police in the North West have not responded to a request for comment. The comment will be added once received. 

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