A former member of an elite police unit in South Africa has been charged with the murder of a whistleblower who testified at a high-profile inquiry into police corruption.
Matipandile Sotheni, 41, appeared in court accused of killing Marius van der Merwe in December last year. Prosecutors allege that Van der Merwe was shot dead in front of his family, a killing that sparked widespread outrage across the country.
Van der Merwe, who testified under the identity “Witness D,” had appeared before the Madlanga Commission, where he accused several police officers of involvement in the torture and killing of a suspected robber.
His testimony exposed what many saw as deep-rooted corruption within parts of the police service and led to the suspension of several officers he had implicated.
The inquiry was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa after allegations surfaced that organised crime networks had infiltrated government institutions. The claims also resulted in the suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has denied any links to criminal groups. Parliament of South Africa is also investigating the allegations.
Van der Merwe’s testimony centred on the death of Emmanuel Mbense, who died in April 2022 under circumstances that remained unclear until the whistleblower’s evidence at the commission.
He told the inquiry that he had been ordered to dispose of Mbense’s body by local police commander Julius Mkhwanazi, who has since been suspended and denies the accusations.
Authorities say several individuals connected to the case have since died. Two were shot dead while another, identified as a suspect in Van der Merwe’s murder, died by suicide.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said Sotheni is believed to be the gunman in the killing, while another suspect, Wiandre Pretorius, allegedly drove the vehicle used in the drive-by shooting.
Investigators have seized the suspected getaway vehicle but are still searching for the weapon believed to have been used in the attack, reportedly an AK-47.
Sotheni also faces charges of attempted murder for allegedly targeting Van der Merwe’s wife and children during the attack.
The case was briefly heard in a heavily guarded courtroom before being postponed to 25 March for a formal bail application. Van der Merwe’s family attended the proceedings, with his wife seen wiping away tears during the hearing.
