Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe was gunned down in Brakpan. He was revealed as Witness D who testified at the Madlanga Commission.
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Police have arrested a suspect believed to be the gunman behind the killing of Marius van der Merwe, also known as “Witness D” at the Madlanga Commission.
Police spokeswoman 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 Madlanga Commission obtained a J50 warrant of arrest before making the arrest.
Van der Merwe, whose nickname was Vlam, was shot dead outside his home in Brakpan on the East Rand on December 5 shortly after returning home with his wife.
He was a security industry member and a former Ekhurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) official.
Shortly before his murder, Van der Merwe had testified at the Madlanga Commission as "Witness D".
The Madlanga Commission is a judicial commission set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of corruption, criminal networks, and interference within law-enforcement structures, particularly involving members of the EMPD.
In his testimony, Van der Merwe said former EMPD acting deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi allegedly ordered the disposal of the body of a suspect.
The suspect, according to his testimony, was allegedly tortured and killed by EMPD officers by dumping him in a dam.
Mathe said the person apprehended for Van der Merwe's murder was expected to make his first appearance at the Brakpan Magistrates Court on Monday.
No further details were immediately available.
IOL