Johannesburg – A 41-year-old former South African Police Service (SAPS) Special Task Force member, Matipandile Sotheni, has appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court for the assassination of Marius van der Merwe, also known as Witness D, who testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Sotheni was arrested in Johannesburg on Saturday by a specialised task team investigating cases linked to the commission, marking the first arrest tied to its revelations.
His brief court appearance on Monday was postponed to 25 March 2026 for a formal bail application, and he remains in custody on Schedule 6 charges, including premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Suspect in Court for Murder of “Witness D”
Matipandile Sotheni appeared before the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court this morning, Monday, facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm. The charges, classified as a Schedule 6 offence, relate to the… pic.twitter.com/DfeKhIsApv
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) March 16, 2026
According to reports, Police believe Sotheni, a trained marksman who resigned from SAPS in 2019 before moving into the private security sector, shot Van der Merwe outside his Brakpan home on 5 December, shortly after the whistle-blower delivered explosive testimony about alleged corruption and a murder cover-up involving members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).
Authorities suspect he may have been hired by influential individuals, while Wiandre Pretorius, who allegedly died by suicide in February, is believed to have been the getaway driver.
FATCS:
• Sotheni is a former member of SAPS’ most elite unite – The Special Task Force.
• He resigned from SAPS in 2019.
• He then worked as a bodyguard for a wealthy and influential family in Houghton.
• Police allege he was hired on the side to kill Witness D. pic.twitter.com/VU5xFIYN1a— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 16, 2026
Police have also seized the vehicle believed to have been used in the murder and are searching for the AK47 used in the attack, while another suspect believed to be the mastermind remains at large.
Van der Merwe’s family, who attended the court proceedings, say they have been receiving death threats since the assassination, which occurred in front of his family.
The Madlanga Commission, established to investigate allegations of corruption, political interference and criminal collusion within South Africa’s criminal justice system, welcomed the arrest and called for justice for those affected.
[WATCH] Marius van der Merwe’s alleged murderer, Matiphandile Sotheni makes his first court appearance. He’s charged with Conspiracy to commit murder, murder and attempted murder. State is intending on opposing bail. @Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/45ipN9h2fH
— Linda Mnisi (@LindA_MniSii) March 16, 2026
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
