Three men charged in West Coast farmer attack refuse bail as Agri Western Cape condemns rising violence
Three men charged with attempted murder and theft out of a motor vehicle in connection with the attack on West Coast farmer Hugo Louw appeared in the Lamberts Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
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Three men accused of attacking a West Coast farmer appeared in the Lamberts Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where they declined to apply for bail and the case was postponed for further investigation.
Clive Boois, Marlon Booysen and Clive Storm are charged with attempted murder and theft out of a motor vehicle.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the accused appeared in court on Monday and the matter was postponed to May 25, 2026.
“The three accused declined to apply for bail,” Ntabazalila said.
The State alleges that the accused attacked a farmer.
Agri Western Cape has strongly condemned the attack and warned that violent crime linked to stock theft continues to threaten farming communities.
In a memorandum submitted on behalf of the organisation, Agri Western Cape said the alleged assault on farmer Hugo Louw was deeply disturbing and highlighted the vulnerability of rural communities.
“Such an attack is deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable,” the organisation said.
“The attack on Mr Louw is not only a crime against an individual, but an incident that deeply affects the broader rural community and the agricultural sector as a whole.”
Agri Western Cape said attacks linked to stock theft represent a troubling escalation of criminal activity in rural areas and have consequences that extend beyond the individual victim.
“When a farmer is attacked, the immediate and most devastating impact is felt by the victim and his or her family. However, the consequences of such attacks extend far beyond the individual farmer,” the organisation said.
Agri Western Cape said violent crime in rural areas creates fear and uncertainty in farming communities and places pressure on agricultural sustainability, employment and food security.
“Rural communities often feel vulnerable due to their geographic isolation and limited access to immediate law enforcement support,” the organisation said.
The court appearance follows last week’s attack on farmer Hugo Louw near Lamberts Bay.
According to previous reporting, the 56-year-old farmer was critically injured after confronting men suspected of stealing sheep near his farm outside Lamberts Bay.
The case will return to the Lamberts Bay Magistrate’s Court on May 25 for further investigation.