'Attack on justice': Witness Marius van der Merwe killed after commission testimony

Civil society organisations are holding a candlelight service for the slain Madlanga Commission witness, identified as Marius van der Merwe.

Van der Merwe was tragically shot and killed with an AK-47 at his home in Brakpan, in front of his wife.

The brutal attack comes less than a month after he testified before the Madlanga Commission. His testimony concerned the 2022 murder of a robbery suspect in Brakpan and an alleged cover-up involving suspended EMPD Acting Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi.

READ: Witness D in Madlanga Commission killed in Brakpan shooting

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and the Defend Our Democracy organisation are hosting the service, which is set to begin shortly, in his honour.

Naledi Kuali of Defend Our Democracy emphasised that Van der Merwe's courage must not be forgotten:

"We will not succumb to violence. We will not allow those whose lives have been lost to have died in vain. South Africa is facing a crisis, and it is up to us to stand and honour those who laid their lives down to tell the truth."

Meanwhile, African National Congress (ANC) Ekurhuleni Regional Secretary, Jongizizwe Dlabathi, has expressed his condolences, stating that the killing is a direct attack on justice.

"This calculated assassination we view as an attack to accountability, justice and the rule of law. We thus call upon the law enforcement agencies to collaborate and swiftly apprehend those that were involved in the brutal killing of Witness D. Together, we must ensure that justice prevails not only for the late Witness, but for the family and the society at large."