JOHANNESBURG - In November, Marius van der Merwe testified before the Madlanga Commission with his identity hidden as Witness D.
He made revelations regarding the rot in the Ekurhuleni Metro Police and the private security sector. The former police reservist implicated suspended EMPD deputy Julius Mkhwanazi in a murder.
Read | Witness D who implicated EMPD Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, was shot dead outside his home
eNCA can reveal that hours before he was shot dead, Van der Merwe spoke about his mission to expose state officials involved in illegal mining.
Marius van der Merwe is well known within security circles in the East Rand. The former police reservist had his own security company and was known for being in the frontline fighting illegal mining in the area.
During his testimony to the Madlanga Commission he said that he was forced by Julius Mkhwanazi to dump a body of a suspect who had been killed by rogue EMPD officers.
A source says the corrupt law enforcement and private security individuals implicated were not happy about his testimony at the Madlanga Commission.
“The Old crew he was running with, law enforcement, Private Security and the nonsense they done in the last 5 couple of years. And he is the star witness now. So, the fear under that group – they fear for what’s coming.”
Van der Merwe was active in the security industry against illegal miners on the West Rand. He was forced to leave the area after receiving a number of threats.
He then relocated to the East Rand where he was again in the frontline, taking on Zama Zamas. Another source says these Zama Zamas were on his tail.
"All the Zamas were looking for him. [...] A lot of people were losing income over the plastic business. The gentlemen in question were using the Basothos to fight the Zulu guys there all armed with ak47s and there is a turf war"
The police confirm that an AK-47 calibre rifle was used in Van der Merwe’s murder. They also say they have identified the vehicle involved.
Most of the speculation as to the motive around the killing is about his Madlanga Commission testimony. But police also haven't ruled out the possibility it could be linked to his anti-Zama Zama operations.
National Commissioner Fannie Masemola is expected to meet Madlanga Commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga soon over strengthening the witness protection programme.