National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola visited the family of Marius van der Merwe last night to brief them on the progress of the investigation into his murder.

Brakpan Herald reports that 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 persons of interest have been identified, and that one has been taken in for questioning.

He also confirmed that Van der Merwe was the target of an attempted murder in September, during which he 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 people 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.

Investigations on track

Brakpan Herald reported yesterday that Masemola is confident that a breakthrough will soon be made. “Police remain on high alert for those behind the killing of Mr van der Merwe,” he said.

“It is safe to say that investigations are on the right track.”

He added that Natjoints and the Madlanga Commission have met in recent days to develop a plan to strengthen security for officials and witnesses associated with the commission.

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