Brakpan – The suspect accused of fatally shooting “Witness D” after he testified at the Madlanga Commission has been unmasked as a former police officer.
The accused, 41-year-old Matipandile Sotheni, a former police task force member, faces several charges, including the murder of “Witness D”, who was later identified as Marius van der Merwe, a former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officer.
Van der Merwe was shot dead soon after he testified.
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On Monday, 16 March 2026, Sotheni appeared before the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court.
National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana explained that apart from murder, Sotheni is also facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of attempted murder, and unlawful possession of ammunition .
The state alleges that after Van der Merwe testified in November 2025 at the Madlanga Commission about an unsolved murder investigation in Brakpan, the accused conspired to kill him.
The accused allegedly conducted surveillance on the deceased.
It is further alleged that on 5 December 2025, the accused positioned himself in the vicinity of Van der Merwe’s residence.
When Van der Merwe arrived home with his wife and two minor children, it is alleged that the accused shot him.
Van der Merwe was declared dead on the scene.
Investigations by the “Madlanga Task Team” established to investigate cases emanating from the commission of Inquiry, led to the arrest of the accused on 14 March 2026.
After the accused’s brief appearance, the matter was adjourned to 25 March 2026.
The state opposed bail, and the accused was remanded in custody.
