Matipandile Sotheni, a suspect linked to the murder of Witness D, Marius van der Merwe, has appeared before the Brakpan Magistrate's Court on Monday morning.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
A former police officer, who was attached to the SAPS Special Task Force unit, has been nabbed as the shooter who killed whistle‑blower Marius van der Merwe, known as “Witness D” at the Madlanga Commission.
Matipandile Sotheni, 41, 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 has been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and attempted murder.
Van der Merwe was shot dead outside his Brakpan home on December 5.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe explained, in a media briefing aired by Newzroom Afrika, how the murder of Van der Merwe took place explaining that the shooter had fired two shots while seated in a vehicle.
Mathe confirmed that the alleged shooter, Sotheni, was a former Special Task Force member and alleged that he may have been chosen for the job due to the extensive training that members receive regarding tactical shooting.
“There were two people in that car, it was a drive-by shooting. According to our investigation, the gunman who shot Witness D shot him from the car and that could only be possible if you have a highly trained gunman to do so. He fired two shots and Witness D was killed by one shot.”
She also said that according to the investigations, Wiandre Pretorius was the driver of the vehicle while it is alleged that Sotheni was in the passenger seat and “he pulled the trigger”.
“Our overwhelming evidence places them on the scene.”
The Madlanga Commission welcomed the arrest.
Sotheni will be back before the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on March 25, for a bail hearing.
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