Wiandre Pretorius, implicated in Madlanga Commission, dies by suicide after surviving hit
Police have opened an investigation following the death of Madlanga Commission-implicated Wiandre Pretorius in Brakpan on the East Rand.
Image: File
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, has died after apparently taking his own life at a petrol station in Brakpan on the East Rand.
The incident reportedly took place in the presence of his partner, Sergeant Juan Mare Eksteen on Saturday night.
Newzroom Afrika reported from the filling station on Sunday morning, adding that police investigation is under way to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.
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, expressing deep concern over the safety of all current and potential witnesses.
"Yes, we got the news about an hour ago, and it had not happened too long before that," he stated, highlighting the precarious position of those who choose to come forward.
According to AfriForum Prosecutions Unit spokesperson Barry Bateman, 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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