The assassination of Witness D, who testified at the Madlanga commission, has intensified concerns about the safety of whistleblowers. Marius van der Merwewas gunned downon Friday, triggering renewed calls to fix the country’s failing witness protection and criminal justice systems. The founder of Public Interest SA, who also drives the Whistleblower Awards, Tebogo Khaas, said the killings are “a deeply worrying indictment of South Africa’s policing and justice systems”.
“It exposes a level of brazenness in our society where people know they can take someone’s life without consequence. It confirms that our policing system is broken, our justice system is broken and the criminal justice system is in a very worrying state,” Khaas said. He rejected the government’s claim that Van der Merwe declined witness protection, calling it “rubbish”.
“This is just an excuse. The state did not do enough to address his concerns. Whistleblowers lose their jobs, their livelihoods and their identity; the state cannot compensate them for that.” On TikTok, Van der Merwe’s wife, Leanne, shared emotional tributes.
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“I don’t know how to be without you… How do I say goodbye? Something in the heavens tells me we will be together again. I love you forever, my babe,” she wrote.
Corruption Watch said the killing highlights systemic weaknesses in SA’s whistleblower protection regime. Joint interim leader Moira Campbell warned: “This latest killing has placed this issue front and centre. It cannot be ignored. It is a matter of extreme urgency.” “It is clear that current laws fall far short of providing adequate protection.”
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