UPDATE: Abandoned bakkie linked to Van der Merwe murder found in Alexandra
Police confirmed a vehicle has been seized, while the search continues for a second vehicle and the murder weapon.
National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola visited the family of Marius van der Merwe this evening (December 8) to brief them on the progress of the investigation into his murder.
A large media contingent gathered outside the Brenthurst family home, where Masemola and other senior police officials, including Gauteng provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, Ekurhuleni district commissioner Major General Anna Sithole and Brakpan SAPS station commander Brigadier Johanna Ngoma, arrived shortly after 19:00 to meet with the family.
Before the visit, the delegation met with the investigation team at the Brakpan Police Station.
Members of the media were not permitted inside the home during the meeting, but Masemola addressed journalists afterwards.
“We have confirmed to the family that we do believe that we have found one of the vehicles used in the shooting,” he said.
“Apparently there were two vehicles used, a sedan and a bakkie. We found the bakkie. On the evening of the murder, video footage shows a white bakkie pulling up around here. There was also a darkish hatchback vehicle.”
According to Masemola, the white Chevrolet bakkie was discovered abandoned behind a mall in Alexandra. It has been seized for forensic analysis.
Police are still searching for the second vehicle.
Masemola reiterated that three people of interest have been identified, and that one has been taken in for questioning.
READ: UPDATE: Three persons of interest identified in Van der Merwe murder
He also confirmed that Van der Merwe was the target of an attempted murder in September, during which Van der Merwe reported being followed by two men in a Mahindra bakkie.
Masemola added that the murder weapon has not yet been recovered. He also stated that police could not confirm how many suspects were involved, as the shots were fired from inside a vehicle.
He explained that the motive for the killing currently remains unclear, and that investigators are considering all possibilities, including Van der Merwe’s testimony at the Madlanga Commission and his role in exposing illegal mining operations.
