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The case against Matipandile Sotheni, the man accused of murdering Marius van der Merwe — known publicly as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission — has been postponed to 25 March 2026 for a formal bail application in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court. The National Prosecuting Authority says it will oppose bail.
NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Sotheni faces six charges, including murder, premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed ammunition. She said the state views the matter as serious and described it as a Schedule 6 offence.
Police previously confirmed that the suspect believed to be the shooter was arrested in Johannesburg, and that the vehicle believed to have been used in the killing was also seized. Van der Merwe, a former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department officer, was shot dead in Brakpan in December 2025, shortly after giving testimony linked to alleged corruption and a murder cover-up involving senior EMPD figures.
According to reports, investigators are still pursuing at least one more suspect, with National Commissioner Fannie Masemola saying the investigation is continuing and that police are still hunting another person of interest. BusinessDay also reported that the arrest is the first linked to the Madlanga inquiry task team’s work.
Van der Merwe had testified as Witness D before the Madlanga Commission and implicated suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi in an alleged cover-up involving the disposal of a murder victim’s body. His killing raised fresh concerns over witness protection and accountability in cases connected to the commission.
