Matipandile Sotheni, a former elite police officer and member of SAPS' Special Task Force unit, appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate's Court on Monday facing multiple charges related to the assassination of Marius van der Merwe. Van der Merwe, who testified as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, was shot outside his home in December 2025.
Key Takeaways
A former elite police officer has been charged with assassinating Marius van der Merwe, who testified about corruption at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
- Matipandile Sotheni faces multiple charges including murder and conspiracy to commit murder
- Police believe Van der Merwe was targeted after implicating officials in a 2022 killing
- The AK-47 used in the shooting remains missing, with at least one more suspect still at large
Sotheni resigned from the police service in 2019 and subsequently worked as a bodyguard for an influential family before being arrested. According to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, preliminary investigations suggest he was contracted to assassinate Witness D after Van der Merwe implicated officials in the torture and murder of Emmanuel Mbense during his testimony.
The assassination occurred shortly after Van der Merwe testified about alleged corruption within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department. The shooting happened while the car used by the assailants was moving slowly past his driveway, with Sotheni firing two precise shots from the moving vehicle. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed that authorities are searching for at least one more suspect believed to be involved in the murder.
Van der Merwe's sister Natasha expressed hope that the arrest of a suspect in his murder is only the beginning, believing more people were involved. The family has been deeply affected by the killing, with Natasha being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe trauma. Meanwhile, the firearm used in the shooting remains missing and is believed to be an AK-47 according to police ballistics team.
Sotheni's case was postponed to 25 March for a bail application. The former officer showed no emotion during proceedings, while Van der Merwe's grieving wife could be seen wiping away tears in the courtroom. Police are continuing their investigations into the broader network behind Van der Merwe's murder.
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