Manhunt for killers of Madlanga Commission's witness D

Marius van der Merwe, who was publicly known as Witness D, who was gunned down outside his Brakpan home on Friday night.

Van der Merwe's explosive testimony in November implicated suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, several named metro police officers, SAPS members, and private security personnel in violent crimes, including robbery, torture, and murder.

Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner Freddy Kekana confirmed that Van der Merwe was shot at close range while opening his home gate shortly after 20:30, with his wife beside him. 

She was unharmed.

Meanwhile, national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said nothing was stolen.

His firearm, cellphone and wallet remained on him.

SAPS confirms AK-47 used, suspects being hunted

"The South African Police Service’s crime intelligence, ballistics, and serious and violent crime units worked through the night combing the scene for evidence," she said.

 Mathe said early forensic findings confirm an AK-47 rifle was used in the assassination.

"According to a preliminary investigation, Witness D arrived at his home just after 20:30 with his wife and as he was about to open the gate, he was shot and sustained wounds to his upper body. 

He was certified dead at the scene. His wife who was a passenger in the car, escaped unharmed and it should be noted that nothing was taken from Witness D, seeing that his firearm, cellphone and wallet were still in his possession."

 CCTV footage from the area shows a white Nissan NP200 with a canopy, believed to have been used in the attack.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola is expected to brief  Madlanga Commission Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on progress made in the case, and to discuss urgent measures to ensure the safety of witnesses and officials linked to the commission. 

"A case of murder has been registered and police have launched a manhunt for the hit orderer and the hitmen who shot and killed Witness D. Police are also looking for the murder weapon.

"General Masemola has also ordered the NATJOINTS Co-chair, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili to urgently convene a NATJOINTS meeting over the weekend to discuss and look at ways of improving and or enhancing the safety and security of commission officials as well as all witnesses," said Mathe.

Why Witness D mattered and why his killing raises alarm

Van der Merwe had provided extensive testimony detailing an alleged murder cover-up linked to suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, several named metro police officers, SAPS members and private security personnel.

He described an incident in which a warehouse robbery suspect was allegedly tortured using a plastic bag placed over his head,a method known as tubing before later being found dead.

He alleged that officers considered planting a firearm at the scene and attempted to influence a paramedic to declare the man dead as part of a cover-up. 

Witness D further testified that Mkhwanazi later arrived at the scene and instructed that the body be disposed of "in a mineshaft or dumped in a dam.”

He also told the commission that blue-light fitted state vehicles were being used to commit hijackings and other offences, and said he had submitted a written statement to IPID and participated in an identification exercise in late 2022 or early 2023.

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