WATCH: Memorial honours Marius ‘Vlam’ van der Merwe
An emotional memorial service was held for Marius van der Merwe, who was gunned down outside his home earlier this month.
A memorial service for slain Brenthurst resident Marius van der Merwe took place at Medley House in Anzac this afternoon, with the case still under investigation and no additional details made public.
Van der Merwe (41), who testified as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, was shot and killed outside his home on the evening of December 5.
His killing drew widespread condemnation, including from President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The service was attended by more than 100 people, with mourners filling the hall and under two shade sails erected outside to accommodate the overflow.
There was a strong media presence at the venue. The coffin was wheeled in by family members as the service started. The officiating minister was Chaplain JP Jordaan.
Van der Merwe would have marked his 42nd birthday on December 20, a birthday now remembered with sadness by family.
Hymns were played, followed by chaplain Henry Bruinette reading several messages from close family members.
The messages reflected on their memories of Marius and included tributes from his children.
The Last Post, traditionally played in honour of fallen soldiers, was then performed, followed by a minute of silence, and a slideshow.
His wife, Leanne, and their children were then the first to be called forward to lay rose petals on the coffin, with Leanne pausing to kiss the casket. The remaining mourners then followed.
Murder investigation
As previously reported, Van der Merwe arrived home with his wife just after 20:30 on December 5 and was shot as he was about to open the gate.
He sustained gunshot wounds to his upper body and was certified dead at the scene.
His wife and children, who were passengers in the vehicle, were unharmed. Police confirmed that nothing was taken from him, as his firearm, cellphone and wallet were still in his possession.
Various SAPS units, including ballistics and crime scene experts, crime intelligence officers and members of the serious and violent crime unit, worked at the scene until the early hours of the following morning, searching for evidence.
On the evening of December 6, more than 200 people attended a candlelight vigil in Van der Merwe’s honour at the Anzac traffic circle.
A memorial cross was erected, bearing a tribute to his role in clearing the Plastic City informal settlement and his involvement in combating illegal mining.
National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola visited the Van der Merwe family on December 8 to brief them on progress in the investigation.
He was accompanied by senior police officials after meeting earlier with the investigation team at the Brakpan Police Station.
ALSO CHECK: UPDATE: Three persons of interest identified in Van der Merwe murder
Masemola told the media that police believed they had identified the vehicle used in the murder, a white Chevrolet bakkie found abandoned in Alexandra.
According to Masemola, three persons of interest had been identified and one individual had been taken in for questioning.
The murder weapon had not yet been recovered and the motive remained under investigation. Since that briefing, however, no further updates have been provided by police on the progress of the case.
ALSO CHECK: UPDATE: Brakpan community holds candlelight vigil for Marius ‘Vlam’ van der Merwe (VIDEO)
