The former Special Task Force member, Matipandile Sotheni, faces multiple murder and attempted murder charges over a December 2025 drive-by shooting. He told the magistrate he wants to assist the court but denied any involvement in the crime.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
“I haven’t done this.” That’s what Matipandile Sotheni, 41, a former Special Task Force member accused of killing Madlanga Commission witness Marius van der Merwe, told the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
He was expected to apply for bail, however, it was postponed to May 14.
Sotheni first appeared in court last week, on March 16, following his arrest.
Police allege he acted as the gunman in the drive-by shooting that killed Van der Merwe outside his home in Brakpan on December 5, 2025.
He faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, premeditated murder, three counts of attempted murder, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Appearing in a black suit, Sotheni requested permission to address the magistrate directly after his bail application was postponed, but the magistrate denied his request.
“Permission to speak, Your Worship? I want to assist the court in the interest of justice,” Sotheni said.
He denied all charges.
“The allegations levelled against me, I deny them fully. I have nothing to do with this crime. I wish to state under oath. I want to state in English, Your Worship, because I wish to assist the court.
“The lawyer here - it’s the first time I’ve seen him today. He has not been given instruction by me. He did not even take my statement,” he said.
Sotheni said he was ready to give his statement but was unhappy with his legal representation and did not know who had appointed the lawyer.
“I’m arrested here for something I did not commit. Instructions are coming left, right and centre, Your Worship.”
“I have not done anything here. I’m on social media. My name is being painted. So, Your Worship, postponing this case delays the matter, and I wish to assist the court.”
The magistrate told him he could give instructions to his legal representatives.
“If you are not satisfied with the date that has been agreed, you can bring an application for repositioning before the scheduled date in this case,” the magistrate said.
As Sotheni left the courthouse, he told journalists he had not committed any crime.
“No, I am not okay. I have to take my children to school. I’ve got a lot to do. I have work, I have three kids,” he said.
“I haven’t done this,” he reiterated as he was escorted out of the courtroom.
Heavily armed police officers stood inside the courtroom.
IOL News previously that national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said that WiandrePretorius, a police informant linked to the Madlanga Commission, who died by suicide at a petrol station in Brakpan, was also implicated in van der Merwe's murder and drove the Suzuki Swift that was later traced to Sotheni’s girlfriend.
According to police, Sotheni joined the elite Special Task Force in 2010.
Mathe said Sotheni joined the SAPS in 2005 and later joined the elite Special Task Force.
He resigned in 2019 and moved into the private sector. This, she said, will give some insight into how Sotheni operated.
It tells you that he would execute and eliminate Witness D on the spot because of the training that our special task force members receive. So they knew that he was the best person for the job," she said.
"[It is] quite an unfortunate day for us as the SAPS, having a former member of the SAPS being arrested on a very serious charge in relation to the murder of Witness D," Mathe previously said.
“When you look at the cost that it takes to train a Special Task Force member, each member costs more than R1 million to train. It’s quite a loss for the SAPS.”
“But at the same time, it's good that we rid our organisation of corrupt and criminal elements that do not deserve to be in a blue uniform," she said.
Mathe said the investigation team has also interviewed two other people in connection with van der Merwe's murder.
It was previously reported that Pretorius had survived a previous shooting, when his car was reportedly hit 16 times.
He was named in the alleged murder of Emmanuel Mbhense, whose body was found dumped at Duduza Dam in Nigel in April 2022. That investigation is still underway.
Van der Merwe, a former EMPD officer and security specialist, had testified before the commission in November last year, revealing alleged misconduct within the EMPD and blowing the whistle on Mbhense’s murder.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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