Matipandile Sotheni, a former SAPS Special Task Force member, appeared in Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on charges including the murder of Madlanga Commission witness Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D. The National Prosecuting Authority opposes bail due to the seriousness of the Schedule 6 offences. Experts express concern over organised crime syndicates recruiting highly trained officers.
Matipandile Sotheni, aged 41, a former member of the South African Police Service Special Task Force, appeared briefly in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on 16 March 2026. He faces six charges, including murder, premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed ammunition. Police believe Sotheni shot and killed Marius van der Merwe outside his Brakpan home on 5 December 2025, in view of his wife and children. Van der Merwe, director of a private security company and known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission, had testified about alleged torture by Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officers and private security involving a suspect's death in Brakpan. He implicated suspended EMPD chief Julius Mkhwanazi and crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala in building influence within policing structures. Sotheni joined the police in 2005, entered the STF in 2010, and resigned in 2019 to work in private security as a bodyguard for a family in Houghton. At his arrest on 14 March 2026, police found him with 125 rounds of R5 rifle ammunition, 31 rounds of R1 rifle ammunition, and 19 rounds of 9mm parabellum pistol ammunition, without permits. He allegedly procured an AK-47 for the hit, which remains missing. The alleged mastermind is still at large. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stated, “The investigation will tell us who ordered him, because we do believe that he was roped in because of his expertise. They knew he would do a clean job – only one shot killed Witness D.” Crime expert Willem Els noted the training cost of around R1.6 million per officer, saying organised crime syndicates target them for better pay. NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana confirmed opposition to bail as a Schedule Six offence. The case was postponed to 25 March 2026. Van der Merwe's sister Natasha reported family death threats and emotional toll. Mathe affirmed police concerns over tactical operators being scouted by private entities due to salary gaps.
