Brenthurst resident Marius ‘Vlam’ van der Merwe, believed to be Witness D at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, was gunned down outside his home in Brenthurst, Brakpan, last night.

As reported in the Brakpan Herald’s November 21 edition, according to testimony given by Witness D at the commission, a suspect was allegedly tortured and killed by EMPD officers in Sallies Village in April 2022.

EMPD deputy police chief Julius Mkhwanazi, who has since been suspended, was accused of being involved in the cover-up of the murder.

Witness D, a state witness, further claimed that Mkhwanazi ordered him to dispose of the body in a dam.

It is also alleged that Mkhwanazi directed officers on how to clean the crime scene. Witness D testified partially in-camera, meaning only their voice was audible.

Manhunt

Brakpan Herald reports that SAPS have since launched a manhunt for Van der Merwe’s killers and the weapon used in his murder. The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, will meet and brief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on investigations into the murder.

Masemola will also use the opportunity to discuss efforts to improve and enhance safety and security measures for all role-players at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

At the crime scene outside the home, various units of the SAPS, including ballistics and crime scene experts, crime intelligence officers and members of the serious and violent crime unit, worked until the early hours of this morning, combing the scene for available material evidence.

Police confirmed an AK-47 rifle was used in the commission of the crime. According to a preliminary investigation, Van der Merwe 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. Police stated nothing was taken from him. His firearm, cellphone and wallet were still in his possession.

Brakpan Herald visited the scene early this morning and found a handful of flowers had been left under a tree outside the home.

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 and witnesses.

Condolences

In a statement, the Madlanga Commission noted with profound sadness the ‘brutal killing of one of its witnesses’.

“The Commission would like to acknowledge Mr van der Merwe’s contribution towards uncovering serious allegations of criminality and corruption in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.

“The Commission extends its deepest condolences to the Van der Merwe family.”

The ACDP also released a statement.

“The ACDP in Ekurhuleni is horrified by the gunning down of Madlanga Commission Witness D at the gate of his home in Brakpan last night,” said ACDP councillor Palesa Yates.

“We send our deepest condolences to his family and call on government to provide immediate round-the-clock protection for them.

“We also need to see convictions in the case of slain forensic auditor Mpho Mafole and Babita Deokaran. Whistle-blowers and truth-tellers need protection.”

Van der Merwe recently played a pivotal role in the operation to clear out and clean up Plastic City. He also assisted in the restoration of the 1922 Miners Strike Memorial.

His death has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting many to take to social media to voice their disbelief and sorrow and to extend condolences to his family.

• This article has been amended since first being published.

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