A group of criminals broke into a cattle farm in South Africa, shooting the victim and cutting off both of his ears. Fortunately, the farm owner survived, but doctors could not reattach his ears.
Foreign news agencies reported on 2 Nov 2026 that South African police arrested five suspects aged between 26 and 56. They were responsible for brutally attacking and robbing Donovan Marks, a 50-year-old cattle farm owner, in Ventersdorp, North West Province, the previous week, leaving him severely injured.
A South African police spokesperson explained that on 28 Oct, the group, wearing masks and armed with guns, threatened the farm workers, tying their hands and feet with straps to force them to reveal Marks's whereabouts.
When Marks returned home, two assailants shot him in the upper body, dragged him inside, tied his hands and feet, and stabbed him repeatedly. They then ransacked the house, stole three firearms, and fled in his pickup truck.
Authorities were alerted after a tied-up farm worker managed to free himself and seek help. Marks was rushed to hospital urgently, but surgeons were unable to reattach his ears, meaning he may need to wear prosthetic ears.
All five suspects were arrested over the past weekend and are scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. They face charges of home invasion, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Following the incident, South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, Willie Ockamp, expressed sorrow over what happened and condemned the assailants’ brutal attack on Marks, emphasizing, “Our country has no place for such reckless and savage acts.”
In recent times, some extremist groups have cited attacks on white farmers, known as Afrikaners, as evidence of an alleged "white genocide" in South Africa. However, these claims have been debunked and lack support from all political parties in the country.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly referenced this allegation and proposed offering asylum to white South African farmers in the United States.
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Source:bbc