Jeremy Stephenson

MEDIA STATEMENT | Lex Libertas Calls on Ramaphosa to Condemn Farm Attacks and Engage Civil Society on Rural Safety PRETORIA – Lex Libertas has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly condemn the brutal attack on North West farmer Donovan Marx and to engage civil society organisations on a more decentralised approach to combating farm attacks. Marx was shot, stabbed and severely mutilated during an attack on his farm between Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp on 28 October 2026. In the letter, Lex Libertas points out that President Ramaphosa has previously condemned particularly brutal incidents of violent crime, including the recent killings of women in Ekurhuleni, and calls on him to respond similarly to the attack on Marx. ‘The President has rightly spoken out against other incidents of brutal violence. We believe the victims of farm attacks deserve the same recognition and commitment to justice,’ said Dr Ernst Roets, Executive Director of Lex Libertas. The organisation further calls on the President to facilitate engagement between government and civil society organisations on practical measures to improve rural safety. Lex Libertas argues that the particular challenges associated with farm attacks, including the isolation of rural communities and delays in emergency response, require greater decentralisation and cooperation between the police, agricultural organisations and local communities. ‘It is not enough to declare farm attacks a priority crime. A declaration to that effect would be nothing more than an administrative formality. What matters is whether practical measures are taken to prevent these attacks and bring perpetrators to justice,’ Roets said. ‘Local communities have knowledge, resources and capabilities that should be incorporated into efforts to combat farm attacks. We believe there is considerable scope for a more decentralised approach to rural safety.’ The organisation has offered to engage with the Presidency and relevant government departments on practical solutions.