News
The Final Moments of Witness D: The Killing of Marius van der Merwe
A quiet evening ends in violence
The killing of Marius van der Merwe has shaken Brakpan and sparked national outrage. CCTV footage from Friday night captured the final moments of the man known to the Madlanga Commission as Witness D. The video shows him talking to the people who would take his life only seconds later. He tried to reach for his weapon, but the gunmen opened fire before he could defend himself.
His family saw everything. The attack happened right outside their home, turning an ordinary evening into a devastating moment they will never forget.
The man behind Witness D
Van der Merwe recently appeared before the Madlanga Commission, where he revealed disturbing details about the torture of a Mozambican suspect at an unofficial site in Brakpan. He alleged that a group of EMPD officers, working with private security, assaulted the man using tubing and later forced him to dump the body in Spaarwater Dam.
He carried that guilt for years. According to his friend and former colleague, EMPD Superintendent Jacques Vorster, the decision to tell the Commission what happened came from a deep need to be honest about his role. Vorster said Van der Merwe had sleepless nights about the death and believed testifying was the only way to finally tell the truth.
Shock, grief, and national reaction
President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the killing, calling it a heinous act. He said the attack targeted a man who had chosen justice over silence, and he urged law enforcement to uncover the full truth behind the murder.
The Madlanga Commission also released a statement saying it was profoundly saddened by the death of a witness who had helped uncover serious allegations involving EMPD members.
NATJOINTS has been activated to investigate the murder. Senior police and intelligence officers are now involved in tracking down the attackers and understanding what led to the ambush.
A friendship and its final chapter
Vorster broke down when speaking about the loss of his friend. He said he and Van der Merwe had become close while working together to push illegal mining operations out of Plastic City in Brakpan. They had spent long days tackling Zama Zamas and quickly formed a strong bond.
He described Van der Merwe as brave, straightforward, and committed to doing what was right. He knew the dangers that came with testifying. Even with a coded identity, he understood that the people involved could recognise his voice. He still chose to go ahead because he felt it was his duty.
Vorster also believes Van der Merwe may have recognised the attackers. The CCTV footage shows him speaking to them calmly before everything changed. He reached for his weapon, but it was already too late.
A family left behind
Van der Merwe leaves behind his wife and their two young sons. Vorster said the family is struggling to cope and that his friend’s wife always stood by him as he opened up to the Commission. She knew he was living with risk, yet she supported his decision to tell the truth.
Vorster said he believed that once Van der Merwe had finished his evidence before the Commission, the immediate danger had passed, and he did not expect anything to happen after that.
The search for answers continues
A national investigation is now underway. Investigators are examining the footage, tracing the suspects, and gathering information about the moments leading up to the killing.
For the community and the country, the loss of Van der Merwe is more than a personal tragedy. It raises urgent questions about what it means to come forward in South Africa and how witnesses can be protected when they confront powerful networks and allegations of criminality.
The fight for justice continues, but a man who wanted to do what was right is gone.
Also read: “We Were Offered Zero Protection”: The Haunting Fear After a Witness is Gunned Down
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: IOL
Featured Image: YouTube/Daily Updates ZA
