Mapaballo Borotho
- A white Chevrolet bakkie believed to have been used in the assassination of a key witness at the Madlanga Commission Marius van der Merwe has been found abandoned in Alexandra.
- Police say the vehicle was reportedly dumped by two men just hours after the murder.
- Investigators have identified three persons of interest as the probe reaches an advanced stage.
Police believe they have made a breakthrough in the murder of a key Madlanga Commission witness, Marius van der Merwe, after a white Chevrolet bakkie suspected to have been used in his assassination was discovered abandoned in Alexandra.
The National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, says the SAPS has updated slain Madlanga Witness D’s family on the progress of the investigation into his tragic death.
Masemola met with the family in Brakpan on Monday, 8 December 2025.
Van der Merwe was assassinated outside his home in Brakpan on Saturday, 6 December, in full view of his wife and children.
His killing came just three weeks after he gave a chilling testimony at the Madlanga Commission, implicating senior Ekurhuleni Metro Police officials in a 2022 murder.
Witness D had told the commission that suspended EMPD chief Julius Mkhwanazi ordered him to dispose of a lifeless body that had been tortured by police.
He was instructed to dump it in a dam or mine shaft, eventually abandoning the body in a dam in Nigel.
Masemola says investigators believe they have found the vehicle used in van der Merwe’s brutal killing.
“On the evening of the murder, video footage shows a white bakkie pulling up behind his vehicle as he was about to open the gate to his residence. He was thereafter shot several times and died on the scene.
“At this stage, we do believe that the white Chevrolet bakkie that was abandoned in Alexandra township, right here in Johannesburg, fits the description of the vehicle we have been looking for. According to a preliminary investigation, the vehicle was abandoned on Saturday morning by two men, just hours after van der Merwe was shot and killed,” said Masemola.
The bakkie was found on a gravel dead-end road among shacks and has since been taken to the SAPS forensic laboratory for further analysis.
Masemola confirmed there are three persons of interest who may help solve the murder.
“We are closing in on these suspects as our investigations reach a very advanced and sensitive stage. We are still looking for the murder weapon used in the commission of this crime.”
The motive remains under investigation.
“We are not going to divulge any information on the possible motive for now until arrests are made and the case is in court.”
Law enforcement officials met over the weekend to discuss the safety and security of officials and witnesses involved in the Madlanga Commission.
Masemola assured that discussions on implementing an enhanced security plan are at an advanced stage.
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