Former SAPS special task force member Matipandile Sotheni appeared before the Brakpan Magistrates' Court for his alleged involvement in the murder of Marius van der Merwe.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
Matipandile Sotheni, 41, accused of killing Madlanga Commission whistle‑blower Marius van der Merwe and former Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) reservist, appeared at the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning.
The hearing was adjourned to allow for a bail application, with Sotheni facing charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and attempted murder.
Sotheni is scheduled to return to court for a formal bail application on March 25.
Van der Merwe’s assassination unfolded just weeks after he gave testimony at the Madlanga commission, alleging that senior officials in the City of Ekurhuleni were complicit in the murder of Emmanuel Mbense.
Natasha van der Merwe, sister of murdered witness Marius van der Merwe, spoke to the media outside the Brakpan Magistrate's court.
Image: Itumeleng Englsih/Independent Newspapers
Natasha van der Merwe, Marius van der Merwe's sister, speaking outside court, shared the emotional turmoil they have endured since the murder of her brother.
“It has been a roller-coaster ride for us as a family. This case has affected me badly. No one has come to us to tell us that an arrest has been made; we only learnt of the arrest on social media.
"As a family, we have been waiting for three months as we have so many questions,” she said.
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