BRAKPAN - "This is definitely a victory."
These were the words of Natasha van der Merwe, the sister of the slain Marius van der Merwe.
She was speaking just moments after the Brakpan Magistrate's Court denied Mathipandile Sotheni bail.
Sotheni, a former member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Special Task Force (STF), is alleged to have been the triggerman who killed Van der Merwe outside his Brakpan home in December 2025.
Van der Merwe, also known as Witness D from the Madlanga Commission, whistleblower and a former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officer.
According to the judge, releasing Sotheni could put the case at risk. It may also lead to witness intimidation.
Natasha said although this would not bring her brother back, the family could temporarily breathe a sigh of relief until the start of the trial.
"We are very emotional, but we are very happy," said Natasha after the ruling.
"This is what we wanted, but it's just very emotional to hear how they killed him [Marius]," she said.
The matter was postponed to 30 July for further investigation.
At his Madlanga Commission appearance, Van der Merwe testified about various crimes by Ekurhuleni Metro Police (EMPD) under suspended deputy chief, Julius Mkhwanazi.
READ: Alleged triggerman in Witness D murder, Mathipandile Sotheni, denied bail
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has also welcomed the court's decision to deny Sotheni's bail.
"Since the beginning, the state indicated they we're going to oppose bail," said spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
Mahanjana said this was a step in the right direction to provide justice for the family.
According to Mahanjana, after investigations have been finalised, the matter will be transferred to the High Court for trial.