Marius van der Merwe Murder: Second Suspect Hunted After Arrest

Police Continue Hunt for Second Suspect in Witness D Murder Case

Police are continuing their investigation and seeking another suspect following the arrest of an individual believed to be the shooter in the December 5th murder of Marius van der Merwe, too known as Witness D in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed the arrest on Saturday and stated the suspect is expected to appear in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday. This development marks the first major breakthrough for the task team investigating cases stemming from the Commission.

The arrest comes after Van der Merwe, a former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official and member of the security industry, was gunned down outside his home in Brakpan. He had testified before the Madlanga Commission in November, alleging that suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi had forced him to dump a body at a dam in 2022. The motive for the murder remains unclear and officials have refrained from commenting on it at this time.

Arrest Follows Seizure of Key Evidence

Alongside the arrest, police have also seized the vehicle believed to have been used during the commission of the murder. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the task team established to investigate cases related to the Madlanga Commission had achieved its first breakthrough with the arrest and the seizure of the vehicle.

General Masemola expressed gratitude for the team’s swift action, stating, “We are thankful we have made a breakthrough in the murder of Witness D. The person will appear in court on Monday.” He also indicated that further details would emerge as the investigation progresses, adding, “One of the suspects… we are still hunting them.”

Understanding the Madlanga Commission and Witness D’s Testimony

The Madlanga Commission was established to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration within the State Security Agency (SSA). Marius van der Merwe’s testimony was particularly significant, as it directly implicated a high-ranking official, Julius Mkhwanazi, in criminal activity. His allegations centered around being coerced into concealing evidence – specifically, the disposal of a body – at Mkhwanazi’s direction.

The Commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, welcomed the arrest and urged law enforcement agencies to ensure justice for all those affected by individuals attempting to evade accountability for alleged criminal acts. The Madlanga Commission’s findings are expected to be made public, as President Ramaphosa indicated on March 12, 2026, according to IOL. This commitment to transparency is seen as crucial for restoring public trust in the country’s security apparatus.

Confirmed vs. Unclear: What We Grasp So Far

Here’s a breakdown of what has been definitively confirmed and what remains unclear as of March 16, 2026:

Confirmed:

• A suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of Marius van der Merwe.
• The suspect is expected to appear in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
• The vehicle believed to have been used in the murder has been seized.
• Van der Merwe testified as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission.
• Van der Merwe accused Julius Mkhwanazi of forcing him to dump a body.

Unclear:

• The identity of the arrested suspect has not been publicly released.
• The motive for the murder remains unknown.
• The details of the ongoing search for the second suspect are limited.
• The specific evidence linking the seized vehicle to the murder has not been disclosed.

The Process: Investigating Commission-Related Crimes

The investigation into Van der Merwe’s murder highlights the complex process of investigating crimes linked to a Commission of Inquiry. Typically, such investigations involve several stages:

1. Establishing a Dedicated Task Team: As in this case, a specialized task team is often formed to focus specifically on cases arising from the Commission’s findings.
2. Evidence Gathering: This includes collecting forensic evidence from the crime scene, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing financial records.
3. Suspect Identification: Based on the evidence gathered, investigators identify potential suspects and gather information about their backgrounds and movements.
4. Arrest and Prosecution: Once sufficient evidence is obtained, suspects are arrested and charged with relevant offenses. The prosecution then presents its case in court.
5. Ongoing Investigation: Even after an arrest, the investigation continues to identify any additional suspects or uncover further evidence.

What Happens Next?

The immediate next step is the court appearance of the arrested suspect in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The prosecution will likely seek to remand the suspect in custody pending further investigation. Simultaneously, police will continue their search for the second suspect and gather additional evidence to build a stronger case. The Madlanga Commission will likely continue to monitor the proceedings and provide support to law enforcement agencies. The full report of the Madlanga Commission is expected to be released soon, which may provide further context and potentially identify other individuals involved in alleged criminal activities. The South African Police Service’s Facebook page will likely provide updates on the case as it progresses.

Reader FAQ

Q: What was the Madlanga Commission investigating? A: The Madlanga Commission was investigating allegations of corruption and maladministration within the State Security Agency (SSA).

Q: Who is Julius Mkhwanazi? A: Julius Mkhwanazi is the suspended deputy chief of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, who was accused by Marius van der Merwe of forcing him to dump a body.

Q: Where did the murder grab place? A: The murder took place outside Marius van der Merwe’s home in Brakpan.

Q: When did Marius van der Merwe testify at the Commission? A: Marius van der Merwe testified at the Madlanga Commission in November of last year.

Q: Is this arrest connected to other cases from the Madlanga Commission? A: Officials have not yet specified if this arrest is directly linked to other cases, but the task team is investigating all cases emanating from the Commission. eNCA provides further coverage of the arrest and the broader context of the Madlanga Commission’s investigations.