JOHANNESBURG - Marius van der Merwe was offered protection at the Madlanga Commission.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi did not confirm whether he accepted the protection or not. However, stated it is the prerogative of the individual to accept it.
"Some people don't want to walk around with people protecting them," says Kubayi.
The reason for that is that people do not want to draw attention to themselves.
"It's a very uncomfortable thing, because it is almost an invasion of your privacy," she says.
READ: Sister of slain ‘Witness D’ speaks out after assassination
Van der Merwe, also known as Witness D, was assassinated on Friday outside of his home in Brakpan, in Johannesburg's East Rand.
Van der Merwe, who owned his own security business, testified before the Madlanga Commission in connection with his work with the Ekurhuleni Metro Police.
He implicated several individuals including suspended Deputy EMPD Police Chief Julius Mkhwanazi.
It is not yet clear whether his murder is due to his testimony at the Commission or his work around Zama Zamas.
According to the police, three persons of interest have been identified.
READ: Van der Merwe killing sparks fears of a private security hit list
An abandoned white Chevrolet bakkie, believed to have scouted the area before his death, was found in Alexandra.
READ: Update | Motive on Witness D, Marius van der Merwe, is still unclear
A second car -- a hatchback also seen in video footage from the night of the shooting -- is still missing.