Inquest launched into Wiandre Pretorius's suicide linked to Madlanga Commission proceedings

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened an inquest docket after police informant Wiandre Pretorius, who was implicated in proceedings before the Madlanga Commission and survived an alleged attempt on his life outside his Boksburg home last week, died after apparently taking his own life at a petrol station in Brakpan on the East Rand.

"Police confirm an inquest docket has been registered after a 41-year-old man allegedly shot and killed himself at a filling station in Brakpan on Saturday, 07 February 2025," said SAPS national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

"All role players, including police detectives and forensic experts, attended the crime scene. This matter is under investigation."

Earlier on Sunday, IOL reported that the incident reportedly took place in the presence of his partner, Sergeant Juan Mare Eksteen.

Newzroom Afrika reported from the filling station on Sunday morning, showing sand at the spot where Pretorius allegedly took his life.

Last week, IOL reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the urgent need for enhanced protection measures for whistleblowers and witnesses in high-profile cases. 

The president was responding to reports regarding another alleged hit, in which Pretorius’s car was reportedly shot 16 times on Thursday.

The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning in Van Dyk Park, has raised serious alarms regarding the safety of individuals testifying before the Commission.

Speaking to members of the media following an engagement with South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, Ramaphosa stated: “Witnesses in high-profile cases should not be identifiable and must be better secured.”

His remarks come in the wake of growing concerns about the security of those involved in sensitive investigations, compounded by the recent tragic death of another whistleblower associated with the Commission.

Pretorius was implicated by another witness, Marius van der Merwe, also known as Witness D, who was himself fatally shot shortly after providing testimony. Van der Merwe had named Pretorius directly, accusing him of involvement in the alleged murder of Emmanuel Mbense, a crucial case that has drawn significant public scrutiny.

The Commission's spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, confirmed receipt of reports regarding the assassination attempt. However, IOL reported that Michaels stated that Pretorius was not a scheduled witness before the Commission.

“I should clarify that Mr Pretorius was not in the sights of the commission for the moment, and he certainly had not approached the commission with information or requests for assistance with his protection. I am aware that he is the subject of an investigation by another law enforcement agency - I wouldn’t want to get into the detail of that. We are in contact with the relevant law enforcement agencies in that regard," he said.

According to reports, the alleged hit was carried out by three gunmen who opened fire on Pretorius’s bakkie along Klapper Street, near Boekenhout Street in Boksburg, shortly before 10 am on Thursday.

Following the alleged hit, AfriForum's Private Prosecutions Unit spokesperson Barry Bateman, highlighted that it was vital to recognise the gravity of Pretorius's involvement in the Commission, with Bateman describing Pretorius as not merely "mentioned," but expressly accused by Van der Merwe of participating in heinous crimes.

"Allow me to clarify something about Wiandre Pretorius. He was not just 'mentioned' at the Madlanga Commission; confessed criminal, torturer, and body dumper Marius Van der Merwe directly accused Pretorius of being involved in the torture and murder of Emmanuel Mbense," Bateman stated in his X account last week.

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