By OBAKENG MAJE
A ‘Witness D’ who recently gave evidence before Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has been shot and killed outside his home in Brakpan, Gauteng in an apparent hit on Friday evening. According to the police, Marius van der Merwe who was also known as Witness D at Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, was gunned down by unknown assailants who were driving NP200 bakkie with a canopy.
The National Commissioner of the Police, General Fannie Masemola said the evidence gathered at the scene, confirms that an AK47 automatic rifle was used in the commission of the crime. Masemola said at the crime scene outside the home of van der Merwe, various units of the SAPS including ballistics and crime scene experts, crime intelligence officers and members of the serious and violent crime unit worked until the early hours of this morning, combing the scene for available material evidence.
“According to a preliminary investigation, van der Merwe arrived at his home just after 8:30pm with his wife and as he was about to open the gate, he was shot and sustained wounds to his upper body. He was certified dead at the scene. His wife, who was a passenger in the car, escaped unharmed and it should be noted that nothing was taken from van der Merwe, seeing that his firearm, cell phone and wallet were still in his possession.
“A case of murder has been registered and police have launched a manhunt for the hit orderer and the hitmen who shot and killed Witness D. Police are also looking for the murder weapon. I will meet and brief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on investigations into the murder of Witness D,” he said.
Masemola further said he will utilise the opportunity to also discuss efforts to improve and enhance safety and security measures for all role-players at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. He added that he has also ordered the NATJOINTS Co-chair, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili to urgently convene a NATJOINTS meeting over the weekend to discuss and look at ways of improving and or enhancing the safety and security of commission officials as well as all witnesses.
Meanwhile, Marius van der Merwe was said to expose more details about illegal mining operations linking to high ranking officials. He was the owner of QRF Task Team.
“He had already testified about a body Julius Mkhwanazi ordered him to dispose of.
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