Urgent meeting between Justice Madlanga, Masemola after details of Marius van der Merwe's murder emerge
Witness D who testified at the Madlanga Commission was shot dead in Brakpan on Friday night.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola is expected to meet with Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, chairperson of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry after a witness who testified at the commission was gunned down on Friday night in Brakpan.
The witness, who testified anonymously before the Madlanga commission as ‘Witness D’ was shot dead outside his home in Brakpan. He has been identified as Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe, 41.
According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Van der Merwe was ambushed by the gunmen as he arrived in his vehicle at his home. An AK-47 rifle was used in the murder, she confirmed.
“According to a preliminary investigation, Witness D arrived at his home just after 20:30 with his wife and as he was about to open the gate, he was shot and sustained wounds to his upper body. His wife who was a passenger in the car, escaped unharmed.”
She added that nothing was taken from van der Merwe as his firearm, cellphone and wallet were still in his possession.
Mathe said a manhunt had been launched for the gunmen and those who had ordered the hit.
She further confirmed that Madlanga would meet with Masemola to be briefed on the investigation into van der Merwe's murder.
“General Masemola will utilise the opportunity to also discuss efforts to improve and enhance safety and security measures for all role-players at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
“General Masemola has also ordered the NatJOINTS Co-chair, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili to urgently convene a NatJOINTS meeting over the weekend to discuss and look at ways of improving and or enhancing the safety and security of commission officials as well as all witnesses.”
It has previously been reported that van der Merwe told the commission that suspended Ekurhuleni Metro police department acting chief, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, allegedly ordered him to dump the body of a suspect. It is alleged that the suspect had been killed by EMPD officers in an off-the-books operation and the body was dumped in a bid to cover up a murder.
Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe was gunned down in Brakpan on Friday. He is believed to have been Witness D at the Madlanga Commission
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In a statement, the Madlanga Commission acknowledged van der Merwe’s contribution towards uncovering serious allegations of criminality and corruption in the EMPD.
“The Commission extends its deepest condolences to the van der Merwe family,” the statement read.