Three persons of interest identified in murder of Madlanga Commission Witness D, Marius van der Merwe
Marius van der Merwe, a key witness at the Madlanga Commission, was gunned down in Brakpan last Friday. Police have named three persons of interest and are confident that investigations are on the right track. Security measures for commission officials and witnesses have been strengthened.
Image: Supplied
Police have confirmed that three persons of interest have been identified and one has been taken in for questioning following Friday’s assassination of Madlanga Commission Witness D, Marius van der Merwe, also known as “Vlam”.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, December 8, 2025, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said investigators are confident a breakthrough in the case is imminent.
Van der Merwe was gunned down in Brakpan in full view of his wife and children. Three weeks ago, he had implicated Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi in wrongdoing, alleging that Mkhwanazi had ordered him to cover up the murder of a suspect at the hands of EMPD and SAPS officers.
CCTV footage from Friday night’s shooting reportedly shows van der Merwe speaking to the men believed to be behind his 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,” Masemola said.
He added that the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), together with the Madlanga Commission, had developed a plan to heighten and enhance security around officials and witnesses linked to the commission.
“Remember, if you see something, say something. We call on communities to assist us in taking down these hardened criminals, as much as police are out there to protect you,” Masemola said.