Whistle-blower Marius van der Merwe murdered after first attempt on his life and testimony at Madlanga Commission

Marius van der Merwe, a whistle-blower against corruption and the owner of a private security company, will also be remembered for the good work he did in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni.

He was shot twice and died outside his home on Friday.

Van der Merwe, who used the alias "Witness D" during his testimony, had recently gained national attention after exposing corruption within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) at the Madlanga Commission on November 14, 2025.

His testimony included a shocking allegation about the orchestrated cover-up of a murder in 2022. Van der Merwe, then an EMPD member, testified that he was instructed by EMPD head Julius Mkhwanazi to dispose of a body in Spaarwater Dam.

He eventually reported the crime to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), known as the Hawks, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), an action Mkhwanazi denied involvement in during his own commission testimony.

Van der Merwe, also known as Vlam, owned the private security company QRF Task Team. 

Two weeks ago, Van der Merwe reported to the media the first attempt on his life, where a bakkie tried to ram him off the road in Brakpan.

William Douglas, Admin for the Concerned Residents Association Brakpan, released a statement on Facebook to address the murder, mitigate rumours, and reassure those involved in community activism, particularly against illegal mining and the Plastic City area.

The post praised Van der Merwe's contributions, stating: "Vlam did a lot of good work in Brakpan and the surrounding areas in the fight against illegal mining, chasing away the zama zamas and possibly irritating their receivers. He was instrumental with others in cleaning up Plastic City and keeping the citizens updated with Plastic City, the restoration of Rand Miners Revolt memorial, and also his fight as appointed security company with the illegal miners.

"He turned state witness and testified in the Madlanga Commission. The chances are 100% that he was murdered for this. The purpose of the murder will be to prevent others from testifying in the commission, as well as in future criminal cases." 

Douglas stated that Vlam did a lot for Brakpan and its community in his last days.

“The reasons are unimportant, even if it was for salvation, regarding his testimony and involvement in the Sallies case. May the killers be brought to justice. May we not stop fighting these criminal elements as a community. May his 2025 efforts not be in vain,” he said.

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi disclosed that Van der Merwe had previously declined witness protection offered by the Madlanga Commission, relying instead on his own security company and stating he did not need state protection.

TIMELINE

• April 15, 2022: Van der Merwe and others were at a crime scene in Brakpan when he was instructed to dump the body of a suspect in a mine shaft or dam.
• Van der Merwe reports the matter to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and IPID.
• Van der Merwe resigns from EMPD.

• June 2023: Van der Merwe founded the QRF Task Team, a private security company. His vision was specialised small teams, deployed to clients' specific requirements to comprehensively combat and minimise risks his clients are exposed to in the mining and residential sectors.

• February 2024: Facebook Post- "In my years on this earth, and especially after these past few, I have learned that we will go when it’s our time, no matter the struggle. No one can stop it. The material things we invest in are left behind."

• July 6, 2025: KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi holds a media briefing at the SAPS Provincial Headquarters in Durban. During the briefing, he accused suspended Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu of interfering in ongoing investigations. Mkhwanazi subsequently registered a criminal complaint against Mchunu, alleging political interference in the work of the South African Police Service's Political Killings Task Team, which had been established to investigate politically motivated murders.
• The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System is established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to be chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
• Hearings commenced on September 17, 2025.

• October 2025: Parliament Ad Hoc Committee begins hearings to investigate allegations made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
• November 11, 2025: Julius Mkhwanazi was suspended after testimony before the commission linked him to alleged corruption, fraud, fabrication of municipal agreements, and the illegal use of blue-light police equipment by private security companies. Witnesses also accused him of running a so-called rogue unit within EMPD, allegedly involved in violent crime, including murder, extortion, and hijackings.

• November 2025: Van der Merwe reports to the media the first attempt on his life, where a bakkie tried to ram him off the road in Brakpan.
• November 25, 2025: Alleged drug cartel member Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala testifies at the Ad Hoc Committee of corruption between senior government and police officials. The committee heard that Matlala allegedly influenced EMPD head Julius Mkhwanazi. 
• December 3 and 4, 2025: Julius Mkhwanazi testifies at the Madlanga Commission.
• December 5, 2025: Van de Merwe is shot dead outside his Brakpan home.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za