A former member of South Africa’s elite Special Task Force appeared in court on Monday charged in the Witness D murder. Matipandile Sotheni, 41, stands accused of gunning down Marius van der Merwe outside his Brakpan home last December while the victim’s wife and two young children watched from the car.

Police arrested the ex-officer on Saturday and describe the killing as a professional hit linked to van der Merwe’s testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The case marks the first major arrest tied to the commission’s findings.

Highly Trained Ex-Cop Accused of Drive-By Shooting

Sotheni resigned from the police in 2019 after serving in the Special Task Force since 2010. He later worked as a bodyguard for a businessman in Houghton.

On 5 December 2025, van der Merwe stepped out of his vehicle to open the gate at his Gauld Street home in Brenthurst, Brakpan. A dark-coloured Suzuki Swift pulled up and the shooter fired an AK-47. One bullet killed van der Merwe instantly. His wife, Leanne Myra McLean, and their two minor children sat inside the car and survived unharmed.

The state now charges Sotheni with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of attempted murder and unlawful possession of ammunition. Officers found 125 rounds of R5 rifle ammo, 31 rounds of R1 ammo and 19 rounds of 9mm Parabellum during his arrest. He had no licence for any of it. The murder weapon remains missing.

Killing Allegedly Tied to Madlanga Commission Testimony

Van der Merwe, also known as Witness D or Vlam, gave evidence at the Madlanga Commission about alleged corruption and a 2022 murder in the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department. He implicated several people, including the now-deceased Wiandré Pretorius.

Pretorius pointed out van der Merwe’s house to Sotheni. The pair then conducted surveillance from late November 2025. Sotheni allegedly procured the AK-47 specifically for the job.

The state says the killing occurred “in the furtherance of a common purpose” and happened shortly after the testimony. Tracker data, call records and witness statements link Sotheni to the planning, police told the court.

Police and Family Reactions

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, national police spokesperson, called the arrest a breakthrough for the Madlanga Commission task team. “It is unfortunate that a highly trained, specialised former member can appear in court on such a serious charge,” she said. “The gunman who shot Witness D fired from a car, and that can only be possible if you have got a highly trained gunman to do so.”

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed at the weekend that officers still seek another suspect believed to be the mastermind. The case was postponed to 25 March 2026 for a formal bail application, which the state will oppose.

Van der Merwe’s sister, Natasha van der Merwe, told media outside court she learned of the arrest on social media.

“It has been a roller-coaster ride for us as a family.”
“We have so many questions.”

-Natasha van der Merwe