Witness D hit linked to Mbhense murder - Mathe
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the work of the team tasked with investigating cases from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is far from over.
This comes after the team registered its first breakthrough with the arrest of the alleged killer of a witness this weekend.
Matipandile Sotheni, a former cop turned bodyguard, appeared before the Brakpan Magistrates Court on charges linked to the murder of Marius van de Merwe, who is also known as Witness D.
Van de Merwe was gunned down outside his Brakpan home in December 2025 following damning testimony at the commission.
Mathe told the media outside court on Monday that Van de Merwe had been followed soon after his testimony, in which he implicated officers and Deputy Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, until he was ultimately assassinated.
“Suspects started tailing him. So, we can say that the plan to eliminate him came after he appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and implicated certain individuals in the murder of Emmanuel Mbhense,” Mathe explained.
She says Sotheni's arrest gives credence to the police’s theory that witnesses in the Mbhense murder are being silenced.
Two other persons linked to the incident are reported to have died before the establishment of the commission, while another alleged suspect, Wiandre Pretorius, took his own life in February.
Mathe lauded the work of the task team established to probe cases emanating from the commission.
“Well done to the team. Within less than a month of starting their investigations, they have done quite a bit of work. They have seized the car that was used in the drive-by shooting, and we do believe that the driver of that vehicle that evening committed suicide in February.”
MARKSMAN
Mathe says Sotheni may have been picked to carry out the hit because of his extensive training in the SAPS.
“According to our investigation, the gunman who shot Witness D shot him from the car – and that could only be possible if you have a highly trained gunman to do so. He shot two shots, and Witness D was killed by one shot. It tells you that, with someone with a background like Sotheni’s, they knew that Sotheni would do clean job. He would eliminate Witness D on the spot.”
The 41-year-old belonged to the elite special task force of the SAPS.
He started his career as a police officer in 2005, and in 2011, he completed his specialised training.
“It costs a lot to train special task force members, that is why it’s so unfortunate that a highly trained, specialised former member can appear in court on such a serious charge…it’s quite unfortunate that our tactical operators are being targeted by private companies, wealthy individuals, for protection. Now we see that they end up being involved in such heinous crimes,” lamented Mathe.
Sotheni left the police service to work in the private security sector in 2019.
It’s alleged he was working as the bodyguard of a wealthy Johannesburg family at the time of his arrest.
MURDER WEAPON MISSING
The murder weapon in the case of slain Marius van de Merwe has still not been found.
This was confirmed by Mathe, who says ballistic evidence found that an AK-47 was used to kill Witness D.
“We have obtained the search and seizure warrant to check several properties where we think that Sotheni may have hidden the weapon. So, we are still looking for that AK-47. But, in terms of arrest, we think we’ve got our guy.”
Sotheni faces murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm charges.
He returns to court on 25 March for a formal bail application.
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