Police searching for murder weapon used in Witness D's assassination

Police are still searching for the weapon used to assassinate Marius van der Merwe, a key witness in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Van der Merwe, who testified as Witness D, was shot outside his home in Brakpan in December, in full view of his wife and children.

The alleged shooter, a former police officer named Matipandile Sotheni, was arrested in Johannesburg over the weekend and made his first appearance before the Brakpan Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Police have described Sotheni as a "lethal" individual, citing the extensive training he received while serving in the Special Task Force.

READ: Suspect in Van Der Merwe's killing worked as bodyguard for influential Joburg family

It is understood that Witness D was murdered in a drive-by shooting while the car used by the assailants was moving slowly past his driveway.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the alleged shooter fired two precise shots from the moving vehicle, which she noted indicates a high level of skill.

However, she added that the firearm used in the shooting remains missing.

"Our ballistics team that was on the scene that evening highlighted that the firearm that was used in the killing of Witness D is an AK-47," Mathe stated. "We have obtained a search and seizure warrant to search several properties where we think Sotheni may have hidden the weapon."

Police confirmed that a cache of firearms was recovered from the vehicle used in the murder of Witness D.