Matipandile Sotheni, 41, appeared in court Monday facing charges of murder and conspiracy in the high‑profile killing of Madlanga Commission witness Marius van der Merwe.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
Matipandile Sotheni, 41, accused of killing whistle‑blower Marius van der Merwe, known as “Witness D” at the Madlanga Commission, made his first court appearance at Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning. Heavily armed police officers were stationed outside the courthouse.
The brief hearing was adjourned to allow for a bail application. Sotheni faces a raft of charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and attempted murder.
Van der Merwe was shot dead outside his Brakpan home on December 5.
He was shot shortly after giving bombshell testimony about corruption and an alleged murder cover‑up involving members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).
Sotheni was arrested on Saturday by a task team investigating offences linked to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry - the first arrest tied to revelations from the commission.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the task team obtained a warrant before carrying out the operation.
“The task team established to investigate cases emanating from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has registered its 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 Witness D was murdered has also been seized.”
Matipandile Sotheni, 41, accused of killing whistle‑blower Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission, made his first court appearance Monday as police pursue another suspect.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said on Sunday another suspect linked to the killing remains at large.
“We are thankful we have made a breakthrough in the murder of Witness D,” Masemola said, adding that police were continuing their search.
“One of the suspects - we are still hunting them. More will come out as time goes on.”
Masemola declined to comment on a motive for the murder.
The Madlanga Commission welcomed the arrest.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels urged law enforcement agencies to ensure justice for the families of those affected by “people attempting to resist accountability for their alleged acts of criminality.”
The commission was established to probe allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system, including claims of misconduct and unlawful influence affecting law enforcement institutions.
Van der Merwe, a former employee of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police and a security specialist, testified before the commission in November, making explosive allegations about corruption and exposing details of a 2023 murder of a suspect.
The case will return to Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on March 25, for a bail hearing.
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