Marius van der Merwe, a former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officer and key witness in the Madlanga Commission, was shot dead outside his home in Brakpan on Friday night. Van der Merwe, also known as Witness D, had testified against high-ranking EMPD officials, including suspended Deputy Chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, alleging corruption and cover-ups.
According to reports, Van der Merwe was ambushed by gunmen in a white Nissan NP200 bakkie with a canopy as he arrived home with his wife and children. He was shot multiple times and died at the scene. His wife, who was in the passenger seat, escaped unharmed.
Van der Merwe had implicated Mkhwanazi in wrongdoing, claiming he was ordered to dispose of a suspect's body in 2022. He also alleged that EMPD officials were involved in extortion, fake truck hijackings, and protection of illegal mining syndicates.
The police have launched a manhunt for the suspects and are investigating the killing as a targeted hit. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has ordered an urgent meeting to discuss witness protection measures.
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