By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Police Services (SAPS) have arrested a suspect believed to be behind the murder of Marius Van Der Merwe, who testified as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
SAPS National Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the suspect was arrested in Johannesburg on Saturday.
“The task team established to investigate cases emanating from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry have registered their first breakthrough with the arrest of a suspect believed to be the shooter in the Marius Van Der Merwe murder case,” Mathe said.
“The vehicle believed to have been used on the day that Witness D was murdered has also been seized.”
The task team set up to probe cases linked to the commission obtained a J50 warrant of arrest before making the arrest.
Van der Merwe was shot dead outside his home in Brakpan on the East Rand on December 5 shortly after returning home with his wife.
While the motive for Van der Merwe’s killing is unknown, there’s speculation that it was linked to his testimony at the inquiry.
Van der Merwe, who ran a security company, was involved in the battle against illegal miners, known as zama zamas, on the East Rand, which has also been suggested as a possible motive for his murder.In September, he filed an attempted murder case after an apparent attempt on his life.
During his testimony at the commission into the alleged criminal infiltration of law enforcement and political circles. He implicated suspended EMPD deputy police chief Julius Mkhwanazi while testifying anonymously, although his voice was broadcast.
He turned down an offer for him and his family to be put into the witness protection programme.
As he stepped out of his car to open his gate on the night of Friday, 5 December, Van der Merwe’s assailants opened fire with an AK-47, killing him in full view of his family.