South African Police Service (SAPS) national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe indicated that evidence gathered at the scene, confirm an AK47 automatic rifle was used in the commission of the crime.
Marius van der Merwe, who is also known as Witness D, was gunned down at his home in Brakpan late on Friday night.
Witness D was witness in a high profile inquiry that is investigating claims of political interference in police work and corruption in the justice system. The establishment of the commission comes after the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at the 6 July media briefing.
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. He was certified dead at the scene.
His death comes after he testified that suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, had instructed him to dispose of the body of a suspect who died in police custody in 2022.
Police confirmed that Witness D was certified dead at the scene. His wife who was a passenger in the car, escaped unharmed and it should be noted that nothing was taken from witness D, seeing that his firearm, cellphone and wallet were still in his possession.
The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola is expected to meet and brief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on investigations into the murder of Witness D.
“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.
“At the crime scene outside the home of Witness D, various units of the SAPS including ballistics and crime scene experts, crime intelligence officers and members of the serious and violent crime unit worked until the early hours of this morning, combing the scene for available material evidence,” said Mathe.
A case of murder has been registered and police have launched a manhunt for the hit orderer and the hitmen who shot and killed Witness D. Police are also looking for the murder weapon.
In September 2025, the commission Chief Evidence Leader, Advocate Terry Motau informed the commission’s head, Madlanga that he plans to step down. It is still unclear whether Motau has been threatened in relation to his role as chief evidence leader of the commission.
