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The late Marius van der Merwe
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it will oppose bail for 41-year-old Matipandile Sotheni.
Sotheni, a former member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Special Task Force, is accused of the murder of Marius van der Merwe.
DEVELOPING | SAPS spokesperson Brig. Athlenda Mathe says the evidence in the murder of Witness D (Marius van der Merwe) shows he was assassinated by a highly skilled police officer, and they are confident with the arrest. pic.twitter.com/QjvX2lgAtU
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 16, 2026
Van der Merwe, who was referred to as Witness D in the Madlanga Commission, was shot dead outside his home in Brakpan East of Johannesburg in December, last year. At the time of his murder, he had just testified before the Commission, where he exposed corruption within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.
Security has been tightened at the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court, east of Johannesburg, ahead of the first appearance of the suspect arrested in connection with the murder of Marius van der Merwe. pic.twitter.com/urJBt5bCwL
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 16, 2026
[LISTEN] Police say a suspect believed to be the gunman in the murder of Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission, has been arrested. The suspect will appear in Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
🔗 #TheWeekendView pic.twitter.com/CzlqROAzai
— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) March 15, 2026
NPA spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana says Sotheni faces six charges, including three counts of attempted murder, murder, premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder and possession of unlicensed ammunition.
“One, it is a Schedule Six offence. Number two, because of the seriousness of the crime, you must remember that the investigation will lead us to other aspects, as we still need to obtain his criminal profile to determine whether he has other cases. That will therefore inform us how we move forward. But at face value, because of the nature of the crime, it is a Schedule Six offence and the state will oppose bail,” says Mahanjana.
RELATED VIDEO | ‘Witness D’ | NPA & SAPS brief media:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sL_nhUZUq0
