More than five phone calls and WhatsApp messages went unanswered on Saturday. Van der Merwe, 41, a former EMPD officer was shot dead in Brakpan on Friday night in front of his family. He had recently testified before the Madlanga Commission, which is probing alleged corruption, the protection of criminal networks and political interference in the justice system.
Police said the suspects were travelling in a white Nissan NP200 bakkie with a canopy and confirmed that an AK-47 automatic rifle was used in the attack. Van der Merwe had testified that Mkhwanazi allegedly instructed him to dispose of the body of a suspect killed by EMPD officers. The suspect was allegedly suffocated in a bedroom with the help of two SAPS officers and an informant, Jaco Hanekom.
