Police prioritise Witness D’s murder case

Witness D’s car.

Police say the killing of Madlanga Commission of Inquiry witness Marius van der Merwe is a priority case.

Van der Merwe, known as Witness D, was shot dead outside his home in Brakpan on Friday night.

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.

They also say they have not yet recovered the weapon which was used to gun down Van der Merwe.

National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says, “There is an investigation that is currently underway. So that particular investigation of the murder of Van der Merwe has not really linked his murder to the Commission because investigations are still continuing. We are investigating other aspects.”

Mathe says they are gathering all information to ascertain the real motive for Van der Merwe’s murder.

During his testimony, Van der Merwe blew the lid on allegations of criminal acts involving high-ranking EMPD officers in the disposal of human remains.

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) and the commission have agreed that security needs to be enhanced for the commission’s whistleblowers and witnesses.

LIVE NOW | Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi says Witness D, Marius van der Merwe, was given witness protection but declined. Van der Merwe was gunned down outside his home in Brenthurst, Brakpan, yesterday evening. pic.twitter.com/QXLDAhERRh

— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 6, 2025