Police searching for one more suspect linked to murder of Witness D, says Masemola

National South African National Police Service (SAPS) Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed that police are searching for one more suspect in connection with the murder of Marius van der Merwe known as Witness D.

This comes after the arrest over the weekend of one person believed to have pulled the trigger in van der Merwe’s murder.

Witness D was shot and killed shortly after his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he implicated suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi in criminal activities.

Masemola, however, said that it is too early to say whether the murder was directly linked to the victim’s testimony.

"All I know is that they were both involved in other commission of other crimes. And the investigation, for now, the investigation, the person we've arrested is the person we arrested for the killing of Witness D. And I think more will come out as time goes on.”

Meanwhile, Masemola has dismissed suggestions that police officers are afraid of criminals.

This comes after suspended head of organised crime at SAPS Richard Shibiri told the Madlanga Commission that he could not publicly reveal the name of a suspected crime kingpin due to safety concerns for himself and family.

Masemola said that officers are employed to confront and arrest criminal elements.

"Police officers are employed to arrest criminals. I haven't seen a police officer that can fear criminals. A police officer must face criminals. If it means a fight, let it be a fight. And we expect the police to win.”

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