SAPS Opens Inquest After Death Of Police Informant Linked To Madlanga Commission

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened an inquest docket following the death of police informant Wiandre Pretorius, who was linked to proceedings before the Madlanga Commission.

Pretorius died at a petrol station in Brakpan on the East Rand, days after surviving a reported attempt on his life outside his Boksburg home.

According to police, Pretorius, 41, allegedly shot himself at the filling station on Saturday. SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that detectives and forensic teams responded to the scene and that investigations are under way.

“Police confirm an inquest docket has been registered after a 41-year-old man allegedly shot and killed himself at a filling station in Brakpan on Saturday, 07 February 2025,” Mathe said. “All role players, including police detectives and forensic experts, attended the crime scene. This matter is under investigation.”

Earlier reports indicated that the incident allegedly occurred in the presence of Pretorius’s partner, Sergeant Juan Mare Eksteen. On Sunday morning, Newzroom Afrika broadcast live from the scene, showing sand covering the spot where Pretorius reportedly died.

SAPS inquest follows reported hit on East Rand informant

Pretorius’s death comes amid heightened concern following a reported shooting incident earlier in the week. His vehicle was allegedly riddled with bullets in Van Dyk Park, Boksburg, on Thursday morning.

President Cyril Ramaphosa weighed in on the matter, stressing the need for stronger safeguards for whistleblowers and witnesses involved in high-profile cases.

Speaking to journalists after an engagement with South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, the president said: “Witnesses in high-profile cases should not be identifiable and must be better secured.”

His comments followed reports that Pretorius’s bakkie was shot 16 times during the alleged hit.

Madlanga Commission links and conflicting accounts

Pretorius was implicated by another witness, Marius van der Merwe, also known as Witness D, who was fatally shot shortly after giving evidence. Van der Merwe had directly accused Pretorius of involvement in the alleged torture and murder of Emmanuel Mbense.

The Commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, confirmed awareness of the reported assassination attempt but clarified Pretorius’s status in relation to the inquiry.

“I should clarify that Mr Pretorius was not in the sights of the commission for the moment, and he certainly had not approached the commission with information or requests for assistance with his protection.

“I am aware that he is the subject of an investigation by another law enforcement agency – I wouldn’t want to get into the detail of that. We are in contact with the relevant law enforcement agencies in that regard,” Michaels said.

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Despite this, concerns have continued to mount. According to reports, three gunmen allegedly opened fire on Pretorius’s bakkie along Klapper Street near Boekenhout Street in Boksburg shortly before 10am on Thursday.

AfriForum’s Private Prosecutions Unit also weighed in on Pretorius’s role. Spokesperson Barry Bateman underscored the seriousness of the accusations levelled against him, writing last week: “Allow me to clarify something about Wiandre Pretorius.

“He was not just ‘mentioned’ at the Madlanga Commission; confessed criminal, torturer, and body dumper Marius Van der Merwe directly accused Pretorius of being involved in the torture and murder of Emmanuel Mbense.”