Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The witness at the ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry shot dead in front of his wife and children on Friday night has been identified as Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, also known as Witness D.
Van der Merwe (41) was killed outside his home in Brakpan on the evening of 5 December 2025. He was shot multiple times while his family watched in horror.
He was a former member of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and owned a security company, QRF Task Team.
Van der Merwe had appeared as a witness at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, a major judicial investigation set up in South Africa in July 2025.
The commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is probing corruption, criminality, and political interference within the country’s criminal justice system.
Three weeks ago, van der Merwe told the commission that EMPD Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi had ordered him to cover up a murder in 2022.
He claimed officers from the EMPD and SAPS had killed a suspect and that Mkhwanazi instructed him to dump the body in a mineshaft or a dam.
Van der Merwe said he followed the orders because he feared for his own life, and that he eventually placed the body in a van and dumped it in a dam in Nigel. His testimony was given off-camera.
According to Yusuf Abramjee, van der Merwe called him on Wednesday, requesting an interview with eNCA.
He reportedly said he was willing to reveal his identity, adding that he was probably going to be shot in the coming days.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi confirmed that van der Merwe had been offered protection, but he refused, saying he had his own security company.
On Saturday morning, President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his condolences to van der Merwe’s family, friends, and colleagues, wishing them strength as they cope with the trauma of his death. He said:
“While our law enforcement agencies establish the circumstances leading to this heinous act, I am appalled and saddened by this attack on a former public servant who recently served the cause of justice and integrity by testifying at the Madlanga Commission…
“Amid this trauma, we must remain resolute to end corruption and bring to justice those who have done wrong and are plotting to do more.”
Ramaphosa said the government will strengthen efforts to protect whistleblowers, including Madlanga Commission witnesses, recognising their courage in serving the nation despite facing criminal threats.
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