The police have identified three persons of interest in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry witness Marius van der Merwe’s murder case and one has been taken in for questioning. National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola provided an update on the case during a visit to Saulsville, west of Tshwane, after 12 people were killed at a local tavern. He said investigations continue.
“We are confident that soon we will register a breakthrough as police remain on high alert for those behind the killing of Van der Merwe. Safe to say, investigations are on the right track,” Masemola said. The private security firm owner was shot outside his Brakpan home in Gauteng.
He had previously testified at the commission as Witness D. He implicated suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) top cop Julius Mkhwanazi in criminal activity. The government’s protection of witnesses has been criticised in the wake of Van der Merwe’s death on Friday evening.
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Masemola said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) and the Madlanga commission have met and developed a plan to heighten and enhance security for officials and witnesses linked to the commission. Responding to the backlash, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi claimed that Van der Merwe had been offered protection by the commission but had declined it “because he didn’t think he needed it as he had his own security company”. They toldThe Citizenthat Van der Merwe would have taken the protection if offered, as he feared for his life.
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