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The memorial/funeral service of Marius Van Der Merwe, December 17, 2025.
Patriotic Alliance Member of Parliament Ashley Sauls believes more needs to be done to protect whistleblowers and key witnesses for the country to effectively defeat corruption.
Sauls, who also sits in the Parliamentary Ad Hoc committee investigating Mkhwanazi’s allegations, attended the funeral service of slain former Ekurhuleni Metro police Marius van der Merwe.
Van der Merwe was known as Witness D when he testified about the happenings at the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department at the Madlanga Commission in November.
He was laid to rest in Brakpan, east of Johannesburg. He was assassinated over a week ago.
Sauls says, “Well, of course, government needs to do more. We need to start prioritising those that are doing good for our country. That should be our priority. We can invest in so many other things. As you know, corruption takes the lead in our country.”
He adds: “We must prioritise those who are standing up against these corrupt acts. And they are seeking to protect the wealth of our country. We should invest in them.”
Meanwhile, the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, says van der Merwe’s murder has marked an inflexion point for the Commission.
“The Commission will not be intimidated and urges the relevant law enforcement agencies to track down and bring to book all those who seek to undermine the work of the Commission and the rule of law. The Commission has also been encouraged by the fact that more witnesses have come forward to assist it in getting to the bottom of the very serious allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system.”
VIDEO | Sombre moment as family and friends of Marius van der Merwe (Witness D) pay their last respects:
