Isaac Cloete|Published
A police officer accused of running over his girlfriend twice after an argument is facing growing opposition to his release on bail, with hundreds of residents signing a petition demanding that he remain behind bars.
Farren Maarman, 27, died in Garies in the Northern Cape on Sunday, October 11.
Her family and residents believe she was deliberately killed, but police have opened a culpable homicide investigation. The officer also faces a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.
After being confronted, he allegedly ran her over first, and then brutally ran over her again. Her lifeless body was all that was left on the road, locals said.
Residents now believe it was murder and nothing else.
Police investigate culpable homicide
The police spokesperson in Springbok, Captain Ivan Magerman, initially said he was not aware of a brutal murder. He further stated that the Garies police had also not reported a cruel murder.
Magerman later sent a police statement that reads: “The Garies police are investigating a case of culpable homicide following an incident that occurred on 11 October 2026, at around midnight, on Hoofstraat, in Garies.”
Upon their arrival at the scene, officers came across the body of a woman lying beside the vehicle. According to Magerman, the accused appeared in court in Springbok on Monday. The case was later postponed to the Garies court until Thursday.
The other charge the policeman faces is driving under the influence. The Independent Police Directorate (IPID) had also been informed of the incident, Magerman added.
Families questions bail application
Dwayne Dwayne said he knew Maarman well: "She was a mens se mens (people's person) with a very friendly personality.
"A very lovely person with friends all over the world."
The Maarman family spokesperson, Irvine Januarie, said that only a sick person would do something like this. He further said he doesn’t understand why the cop even wants bail.
He said: “Bail is the last thing the family is thinking about right now, because we are going to strongly oppose it on Thursday.
“Farren's parents are broken and shattered and will not easily get over the tragedy.”
According to Januarie, her parents, Wendy and Ferdie Links, are also very concerned about how the police brought the news to them on Sunday morning.
“It was thoughtless and unprofessional. The family wants to address it with the police later.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of residents across the Namakwa region and elsewhere have signed a petition against bail. It will be submitted to the court, said Aiden Links, another family member.
Community leaders said they are planning a strong presence at the Garies court on Thursday.