Hitmen Returned For Round Two — And This Time Marius Didn’t Make It

Madlanga Commission witness Marius van der Merwe, widely known as Witness D, has been killed in what police believe was a second assassination attempt — just two weeks after surviving an earlier attack.

The former EMPD officer and private security firm owner was ambushed outside his Brakpan home on Friday evening shortly after returning from dinner with his family.

Two gunmen reportedly waited for him at the gate and opened fire as he stepped out to enter his property.

Van der Merwe had testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into police corruption and criminal collusion, where he implicated suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi in criminal wrongdoing.

A close associate who responded to the scene said they were in disbelief, adding:
“He was all about justice.

Marius was passionate about cleaning up corruption and seeking out justice for everyone, no matter what. He was a hero in our community.”

Inside the First Attempt: A Road Ambush and Gunfight

Friday night’s attack came just two weeks after Van der Merwe survived an earlier attempt on his life. He had disclosed that two white men in a bakkie tried to ram him off the road in Brakpan.

A gunfight broke out near the remains of the former Plastic City informal settlement — an area where Van der Merwe had played a major role in stabilising the aftermath of violent clashes between illegal mining factions.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Pretoria Bloodbath: 10 Killed, Over 10 Injured In Saulsville Hostel Mass Shooting

At the time, he believed he was being tracked and had warned that the danger was escalating. He said that speaking publicly might help “remove the target” from his back.

Sources suggest his work closing illegal mining shafts — a move that allegedly cost criminal kingpins significant revenue — may have intensified the threats against him.

Witnesses Fear They Are Next as Protection Failures Exposed

Van der Merwe’s security company focused heavily on combating illegal mining on the East Rand. He had taken part in several high-risk operations, including a major shootout with Zama Zamas in Putfontein. His determination was unwavering, often saying:
“I will not rest until the scourge of illegal mining is solved.”

He also frequently insisted: “Nobody’s doing anything, but someone must.”

In his Madlanga Commission testimony, he claimed that suspended EMPD deputy chief Mkhwanazi instructed him to dispose of a suspect’s body after the man died in police custody in 2022 — a task he said he carried out because he feared for his life.

Now, fellow witnesses are terrified. “We are now fearing for our lives,” one said.

In response, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has ordered an urgent NATJOINTS meeting to address protection concerns. The high-level security cluster — which includes police, the military and state security — recently managed safety operations for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.

---

For More, Follow SurgeZirc SA On  Facebook, X,  Instagram and Bluesky