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. Three men accused of attacking aWest Coast farmerappeared 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.

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“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.

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