Police Make Significant Progress in Marius Van Der Merwe Murder Case: Suspects Identified

During a press briefing session on Monday, National Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola confirmed that police found one of the vehicles used during the murder of Witness D, Marius Van Der Merwe, in Alexandra township, Johannesburg.

Masemola said they found the abandoned bakkie and they were still looking for a second vehicle that was allegedly used in the assassination of Van Der Merwe is still being sought.

He also confirmed that three people of interest were identified and one has been taken in for questioning following Friday's killing.

"We are still looking for the other vehicle. We do believe that the bakkie that was abandoned in Alexandra township is the right one. Our crime scene experts will do further investigations on the vehicle," he said.

While addressing the media following a walkabout in Saulsville on Monday, Masemola, said the investigating team was confident that there will soon be a breakthrough in the case.

Affectionately known as “Vlam”, van der Merwe, was gunned down in a hit in Brakpan in full view of his wife and children. 

Three weeks ago, van der Merwe implicated Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi in wrongdoing, claiming that Mkhwanazi ordered him to cover up a murder of a suspect at the hands of EMPD and SAPS officers.

Meanwhile, CCTV footage that has since emerged from Friday night's shooting shows van der Merwe talking to the men believed to be behind the assassination.

"We are confident that soon we will register a breakthrough as police remain on high alert for those behind the killing of Mr van der Merwe. Safe to say, investigations are on the right track.

"The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure NATJOINTS together with the Madlanga Commission has met and developed a plan to heighten and enhance security around officials and witnesses linked to the commission," Masemola said. 

DAILY NEWS