The tragic murder of Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D, has ignited a fierce debate about the effectiveness of witness protection. CCTV footage reveals the moments leading up to the murder of Marius van der Merwe, referred to as “Witness D” at the Madlanga Commission. Van der Mervwe was gunned down outside his Brakapan home at the weekend, talking to his assailants and attempting to draw his gun before he was killed.
He wasshot multiple times in full view of his family outside their Brakpan home on Friday. Van der Merwe gave testimony before the Commission about the torture and interrogation of a Mozambican suspect at an unofficial site in Brakpan. He alleged that a group of EMPD officers with private security had been involved in the death of the man using methods, including tubing, regarded as torture and Van der Merwe said he was forced to dump the body into a dam.
President Cyril Ramaphosa led the tributes, calling on law enforcement agencies to establish the circumstances ‘leading to his 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,” Ramaphosa said. “The Commission has noted with profound sadness the brutal killing of one of its witnesses, Mr Marius van der Merwe.
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(He contributed) towards uncovering serious allegations of criminality and corruption in the EMPD,” its spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, said in a statement. Superintendent Jacques Vorster, left, in happier days with his friend Marius van der Merwe.
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