Madlanga witness executed: Manhunt launched after Witness D gunned down in front of family

The Madlanga Commission has extended its condolences to the family of Witness D, Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe, who was gunned down in front of his family in Brakpan on Friday.

Merwe, 41, was shot dead just after 8pm, according to National Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner General Fred Kekana said a manhunt has been launched for suspects, believed to have been travelling in a white Nissan NP200 bakkie with a canopy.

General Kekana vowed that police would "leave no stone unturned" in apprehending those responsible for the killing of Witness D, who was reportedly travelling with his wife and two children when ambushed by unknown assailants.

"We are still gathering all the necessary evidence.  We have an idea of what is going on, but we need the suspects who killed him. No one has the right to take anyone's life. We will not leave this matter to die without doing anything. We will do everything we can to uncover what happened," Kekana stated.

The commissioner confirmed that van der Merwe was not under any witness protection programme, despite having recently testified in an ongoing investigation stemming from the 2022 incident that formed the basis for his testimony at the commission last month.

Van der Merwe, dubbed the man with the bakkie, who, early last month, told the commission that suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolice Department acting chief, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, allegedly ordered him to dump the body of a suspect killed by EMPD officers in a bid to cover up a murder.

This witness, who has sadly lost his life, was thrust into the spotlight after helping dispose of a body he said was killed during an off-the-books operation involving Ekurhuleni Metro police officers. 

In his testimony, which was partially in-camera, he detailed the ordeal, which he said began on April 15, 2022, when security firm boss Kobus Janse van Rensburg repeatedly phoned him about joining a joint operation at the home of a Brakpan robbery suspect.

Van der Merwe further revealed that when he arrived at the scene, he found a disturbing mix: EMPD officers linked to Mkhwanazi, two suspicious SAPS members, and Jaco Hanekom, whom he labelled “a SAPS informer of ill repute.”

"We proceeded to the suspect's location on Crocodile Road in Brakpan, Deandre Pretorius pushed the man into the second bedroom and closed the door behind them...I noticed Deandre Pretorius with a suspect covered with a plastic bag. There were two SAPS Brakpan members assisting him from the right-hand side of the double bed. That person was suffocated to the point that he could no longer breathe," he stated.

Witness D's murder on Friday comes just as suspended Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu faced intense questioning on Thursday and Friday. His grilling focused on his role in disbanding the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

Mchunu's appearance follows revelations of political interference in police work, made by KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Mchunu conceded that National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, with whom he confirmed having "a good working relationship", should have been the first to advise on the future of the PKTT.

Mkhwanazi also appeared before the commission this week. In his last appearance on Friday, the suspended EMPD acting chief gave his account of the night he allegedly instructed officers to dispose of a suspect’s body, which Witness D had previously touched on how he came to be part of this unlawful operation against his will.

According to Witness D’s statement, Mkhwanazi arrived at the scene and allegedly ordered that the body be removed and disposed of.

In a short statement, the Commission acknowledged van der Merwe’s contribution towards uncovering serious allegations of criminality and corruption in the EMPD.

"The Commission extends its deepest condolences to the van der Merwe family," the statement read.

ActionSA MP Dereleen James said van der Merwe's murder reinforced the need for both Parliament's Ad-Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission to ensure that those whose roles, testimony or exposure, are provided with adequate protection.

"I am sickened by the horrific assassination of a key Madlanga Commission witness. We are confronting thugs who have no remorse, no regard for human life and who are hell bent on rendering South Africa a mafia state," James added.

Mathe said police commissioner General Fannie Masemola will meet with the commissioner of the Madlanga Commission, Mbuyiseli Madlanga on Saturday to discuss details further. 

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