The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) on Saturday met with officials of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry following the killing of Marius van der Merwe.
Van der Merwe, who was killed on Friday, 5 December, recently testified before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System as Witness D.
Officials from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development also formed part of the meeting to discuss the safety and security of witnesses and officials.
The meeting, held in Pretoria at the NATJOINTS Operations Centre, agreed to enhance the Commission’s security operational plan.
“While extensive measures have been put in place to secure witnesses and officials since the start of the Commission, the meeting identified a need to heighten these measures by roping in the NATJOINTS and all other relevant role players.
Van der Merwe was shot in full view of his family outside their Brakpan home. He was a Brakpan-based security industry member and former Ekhurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi on Saturday said Van der Merwe was offered security but he declined the offer, saying he had his own security and he owned a security company.
“After this development, I did interacte with Advocate Khumalo, who is responsible for security at the Commission, to discuss security issues. There is a need to review security issues,” Kubayi said.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Van der Merwe.
The Madlanga Commission issued a statement on the passing of Van der Merwe. “The Commission has noted with profound sadness the brutal killing of one of its witnesses, Mr Marius van der Merwe. The Commission would like to acknowledge Mr Van der Merwe’s contribution towards uncovering serious allegations of criminality and corruption in the Ekhuruleni Metropolitan Municipality and Ekhuruleni Metropolitan Police Department. The Commission extends its deepest condolences to the Van der Merwe family.”
The South African Police Service has launched a manhunt for the suspects involved in the killing of Van der Merwe.
“Police can thus confirm that evidence gathered at the scene confirms an AK-47 automatic rifle was used in the commission of the crime.
“According to a preliminary investigation, Witness D arrived at his home just after 20:30 with his wife and as he was about to open the gate, he was shot and sustained wounds to his upper body.
“He was certified dead at the scene. His wife, who was a passenger in the car, escaped unharmed and it should be noted that nothing was taken from Witness D, seeing that his firearm, cell phone and wallet were still in his possession,” the police said.
A case of murder has been registered and police have launched a manhunt for the hit orderer and the hitmen who shot and killed Witness D. Police are also looking for the murder weapon.
