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“Witness D”, identified as Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, was a key witness at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in South Africa, who was tragically shot dead outside his home in Brakpan on Friday, December 5, 2025. The incident occurred in front of his wife and children.
Key Details about Witness D and Testimony
- Identity: Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, a former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) member and owner of a private security company, QRF Task Team.
- Testimony: Van der Merwe testified in November 2025, without being on camera, that suspended acting EMPD deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi ordered him to cover up a murder.
- Allegations: He claimed that a suspect was killed by EMPD and SAPS officers in April 2022, and Mkhwanazi instructed him to dispose of the body in a mineshaft or dam. Out of fear for his own life, van der Merwe complied, dumping the body in a dam in Nigel.
- Concerns for Safety: Van der Merwe had expressed fear for his life and was reportedly happy to reveal his identity despite the risks, saying he expected to be shot in the coming days. Concerns about the safety of witnesses and potential information leaks from safe houses at the commission had been raised previously.
- Investigation: The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has been investigating the initial murder case since 2022.
The Madlanga Commission
The commission, chaired by Justice Mandla Madlanga, is a commission of inquiry into allegations of corruption, political interference, and the protection of criminal networks within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD). Various other witnesses (Witnesses A, B, and C) have provided testimony, and several high-ranking officials, including suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Brigadier Mkhwanazi, have appeared before it.
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