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Tebogo Thobejane warns of a broken system after Witness D murder
South Africans woke up to a chilling reminder of the risks that come with speaking out. Shortly after the news broke that Witness D had been shot dead outside his home in Brakpan, actress and public figure Tebogo Thobejane shared a reaction filled with heartbreak and anger. She said openly that the system is broken and that too many people are left unprotected when they choose honesty over silence.
Her message struck a nerve. Because behind every headline like this lies a family living out a nightmare and a justice system battling a crisis of trust.
A killing that sends a message
Witness D, known publicly as Marius van der Merwe, recently testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. His evidence allegedly pointed toward senior law enforcement involvement in the cover-up of a murder and the disposal of a body. He had stepped forward to help uncover the truth.
Just weeks later, he was executed in front of his wife and children. The brazenness of the attack left many asking the same chilling question. How safe is anyone who dares to expose wrongdoing?
Image 1: Bona Magazine
Tebogo’s reaction mirrors a nation’s fear
Thobejane’s response did not focus on legal detail. It came from a place of lived experience and a shared national anxiety. Public figures in South Africa know the risks that come with visibility. Many have spoken about threats they receive when they challenge power or corruption.
She reminded her followers that this is not an isolated event. It is part of a devastating pattern in South Africa where those who come forward often face retaliation. Social media lit up with a mix of grief, support, and outrage. People demanded to know how many witnesses must fall before proper protection becomes more than a formality.
Image 2: Bona Magazine
When justice feels fragile
South Africa’s witness protection programmes are meant to safeguard courage. Yet the killing of van der Merwe shows how exposed some individuals remain even after contributing to critical investigations. Less than a month. That is how quickly his bravery turned into a fatal risk.
For families living through this kind of trauma, the consequences are lifelong. For society, the impact is a deepening fear that truth does not always prevail.
Image 3: Bona Magazine
A call for change
Thobejane’s words now echo a national plea. She believes that truth without protection is not justice. Without a system that defends those who speak up, corruption flourishes, and communities lose hope that accountability is possible.
The country must decide what happens next. Will this tragedy push real reform forward or fade into another forgotten case file? South Africans are watching closely and demanding that courage never again become a death sentence.
Real justice can never depend on silence.
Also read: From Garankuwa to Netflix: Warren Masemola Steps Into ‘The Witcher’ Universe
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Source: Bona Magazine
Featured Image: Scrolla.Africa
