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Matipandile Sotheni appears in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court, East Rand on May 21, 2026.
Former Police Special Task Force member Matipandile Sotheni, who has been charged with the murder of Madlanga Commission of Inquiry witness Marius van der Merwe, also known as ‘Witness D’, is expected to continue with his bail application in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The state has argued that Sotheni, who faces 16 charges, should remain behind bars, while the defence has insisted that the prosecution’s case lacks sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.
Sotheni has denied any involvement in the fatal shooting saying he only became aware of the incident through media reports.
During proceedings on Monday, Sotheni, through his legal team, argued that the state’s case against him is weak and cannot sustain a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt.
He maintained that he had no involvement in the planning or execution of the killing of ‘Witness D’.
The state, however opposed bail arguing that the killing was a planned and targeted assassination of a protected witness and that the accused poses a flight risk.
VIDEO | Sotheni appears in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday:
