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Matipandile Sotheni is accused of killing Marius van der Merwe
The case against the former police officer accused of killing Marius van der Merwe, also known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission, has been postponed to Friday next week for a formal bail application.
Matipandile Sotheni appeared briefly in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court.
Sotheni is accused of killing Van der Merwe, a former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official, who was gunned down outside his home in December last year.
At the time of his death, Van der Merwe had testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he made allegations of corruption and an alleged murder cover‑up involving senior metro police officials.
WATCH | The case against Mathipandile Sotheni, accused of killing Marius van der Merwe, has been postponed to 24 April for a formal bail application. pic.twitter.com/5T82vqqLSP
— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 13, 2026
Police arrested Sotheni in March following an investigation by a specialised task team probing criminal cases linked to testimony before the commission.
He faces charges including murder and conspiracy to commit murder, and authorities have indicated that further arrests may follow.
Marius ‘Witness D’ Van der Merwe murder suspect appears in court:
