Johannesburg – Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has defended the government’s witness protection programme following the murder of Marius van der Merwe, a key witness in the Madlanga Commission into police corruption.
Van der Merwe, who implicated suspended EMPD boss Julius Mkhwanazi, was shot outside his Brakpan home, sparking public outrage and criticism of the state’s ability to safeguard whistle-blowers.
While sources claim Van der Merwe received no protection, Kubayi insists he was offered security but declined it.
“We were concerned by the fact that the public and the media were able to identify Mr van der Merwe as Witness D, I didn’t know commissioners didn’t know who Witness D is, neither many of those who work expect those who worked directly to get the statement, and this worries us a lot,” she said.
LIVE NOW | Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi says Witness D, Marius van der Merwe, was given witness protection but declined. Van der Merwe was gunned down outside his home in Brenthurst, Brakpan, yesterday evening. pic.twitter.com/QXLDAhERRh
— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 6, 2025
Kubayi added: “It concerns us. We say if it was known that it was Mr van der Merwe, but the fact that within a testimony, his testimony could be linked to him while he was not really identified, means that there is a need for us to look at this.”
She praised the commission’s efforts and denied negligence, instead criticising the media for revealing his identity and undermining security.
Security experts dispute her claims, saying it was easy to identify him once he began testifying.
WATCH | Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has called for the review of broadcasting testimonies of some of the witnesses, adding that it put their lives in danger. This follows the killing of Witness D, Marius van der Merwe. She adds that “My appeal to the media is to review the… pic.twitter.com/bIhAAXDyQK
— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 6, 2025
Kubayi acknowledged the need to review how witnesses testify and suggested future testimonies may need to be given behind closed doors, arguing that the right to life outweighs public interest.
She urged South Africans to support measures that enhance witness safety and warned that transparency should not expose officials and witnesses to criminal threats.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
