Political parties decry murder of Madlanga Commission witness

Some political parties have condemned the gruesome killing of a witness at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Witness D, identified as Marius van der Merwe, was shot and killed outside his home in Brakpan on Friday night.

During his testimony at the commission, van der Merwe spoke about the 2022 murder of a robbery suspect in Brakpan and an alleged cover-up involving suspended EMPD acting chief Julius Mkhwanazi.

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While the motive for his killing is still unknown, police are investigating the possibility of foul play.

The African National Congress (ANC) said the shooting of a witness from the Madlanga Commission is a setback for efforts aiming to strengthen the criminal justice system.

Singing from the same hymn book, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has criticised the governmentfor what it calls a "persistent failure to protect witnesses and whistleblowers".

MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said, "This government’s inaction endangers not only our good-standing, brave citizens, but the very integrity of our democratic institutions and the pursuit of justice in our country. It is now time for our people to take back their power by calling the so-called GNU [Government of National Unity] what it really is: a failed and dysfunctional government empowered and sustained by criminality".

Police have launched a manhunt for the mastermind and gunmen behind the assassination.