Pretoria – Marius van der Merwe — known as Witness D and a key whistle-blower in the Madlanga Commission into police corruption — was assassinated outside his Brakpan home on Friday night in what is believed to be a targeted hit.
According to The Citizen, it was the second attempt on his life in two weeks.
Van der Merwe, a former EMPD officer and private security boss, previously implicated suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi in ordering him to dispose of the body of a suspect who died in custody, AFP reported.
He had also been central to anti–illegal mining operations and recently shut down several zama zama shafts, actions that may have angered criminal kingpins.
Two weeks earlier he survived an attempted attack when assailants tried to ram him off the road, leading to a gunfight, the report said.
He predicted his own murder on the stand, Witness D, Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, said he’d “probably get shot ” for exposing Julius Mkhwanazi. Days later, he gets killed in front of his family. This isn’t a crime. It’s a public execution to silence the truth. #MadlangaCommission pic.twitter.com/oAJSlBrrO0
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) December 6, 2025
Van der Merwe had repeatedly said he feared he was being followed and that his “days were numbered.”
After his murder, fellow witnesses at the Madlanga Commission say they now fear for their own safety and believe the state failed to protect him.
Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has called an urgent NATJOINTS meeting to strengthen witness protection.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Saturday he was “appalled and saddened” by the killing of Van der Merwe.
President @CyrilRamaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Marius van der Merwe, a Brakpan-based security industry member and former Ekhurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official who recently testified before the Madlanga Commission.…
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) December 6, 2025
“I am appalled and saddened by this attack on a former public servant who recently served the cause of justice and integrity,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
“My thoughts are with the deeply traumatised family… they faced death in circumstances that suggest Van der Merwe’s brave testimony angered elements in our society who want to undermine the rule of law and set back the quest for truth and consequences in the fight against corruption.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
