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.

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“As the NATJOINTS, we have been meeting daily with all relevant role-players to ensure our security plan is well-executed,” NATJOINTS Chairperson Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said on Tuesday.

South Africa will host the Leaders’ Summit on 22 and 23 November 2025 after having assumed the G20 Presidency in December 2024.

“We are therefore confident in saying that the safety and security preparations for the Summit are well on track, with all critical role players already on the ground executing their various responsibilities as per their mandate,” she said.

This as a five-pillar approach has been taken for the summit that will be hosted on African soil for the first time.

The five-pillar approach speaks to:
• Intelligence gathering, analysis and co-ordination; to ensure police detect, prevent and combat all forms of criminality timeously.
• A proactive approach which includes high visibility to police all hotspot areas to prevent, and respond to any element of criminality.
• The implementation of the Combat approach in response to any violation of the law through the deployment of uniformed officers including specialised units. Should the need arise, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is also on standby to exercise their secondary role of supporting the South African Police Service (SAPS).
• Reactive approach through detection and case management.
• Awareness and information sharing led by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), and Communication teams from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the SAPS, keeping interested parties and communities at home and abroad updated through messaging that will enhance the safety and security of everyone in the country – residents and visitors alike.

Addressing the media at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on the state of security readiness for the Summit, Mosikili urged the public to take note of the identified road closures and cooperate with law enforcement authorities. She added that roads will be closed off completely and movement from pedestrians, cyclists and motorists will be limited when convoys pass through.

“Roads will be opened as soon as the convoys move past the affected routes,” she said.

This as the Road Traffic Management Corporation as well as the Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni Metro Police Departments have already appraised communities of the affected road closures and possible traffic delays. The specific routes that are already affected include parts of the N1, N12, R21, N3, R24 and the M1.

She warned that lawlessness will not be tolerated and those found on the wrong side of the law will face the might of the law.

“We would like to remind members of the public that the safety of our visitors and that of South Africans as a whole, is paramount and anyone who tries and even attempts to test our security measures – will face the full might of the law.”

With regards to groups planning to protest within the Nasrec vicinity, Mosikili urged them to do so within the confines of the law.

“Failure to do so, could land you on the wrong side of the law and we shall also not hesitate to act decisively with any acts of lawlessness. Designated speakers’ corners around the vicinity of Nasrec have been identified for this purpose.

“We will therefore not allow any disruptions, lawlessness and no damaging and defacing of G20 infrastructure including posters. It is on that note, that we request everyone within the borders of South Africa to cooperate with law enforcement officers at all times, to enable us to deliver a successful event.”

Boots on the ground

With the maximum resources in place, law enforcement is prepared and ready to police the event with fit for purpose members.

“Together with various law enforcement agencies including the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), we are executing and implementing the security plan accordingly, with more boots on the ground,” she said.

Accreditation

With regard to the access to the venue, Lt Gen Mosikili said only those in possession of valid accreditation will be allowed near the venue and restricted areas.

“Therefore, those who are still without accreditation which includes officials and members of the media are advised to obtain a non-transferable accreditation,” she said.

She warned that those found with fraudulent accreditation or using another person’s accreditation, will face the full might of the law.

“No accreditation card, no entrance to the venue,” she said.

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The energy utility described a “rising wave” of attacks against its employees in that province and warned that rising violence is compromising its ability to service those areas.

“Despite an initial decline earlier in the financial year, these attacks have surged since October 2024, posing significant risks to both personnel and service delivery operations, particularly in the Eastern Cape

“Eskom is committed to enhancing security measures but will cease operations in areas where employee safety is compromised. Protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring the well-being of its employees is an urgent priority,” Eskom said.

The energy company revealed that at least 14 armed robberies and five car hijackings had been perpetrated against its employees since the beginning of the 2024/25 financial year.

“One of the most alarming incidents occurred on 4 January 2025 along the N2 at Tsolo Junction, where an Eskom employee was shot and robbed of personal belongings during a car hijacking. Electrification sites and commuting employees remain particularly vulnerable, with most attacks concentrated in Mbodlana Village, uMthatha, Port St Johns, and Tsolo.

“Criminals are employing extreme violence, using firearms, hijacking company and personal vehicles, coercing employees into transferring cash, and even restraining them. These threats place Eskom personnel at severe risk of injury or loss of life while carrying out essential duties,” Eskom said.

The power utility said continued attacks “extend beyond individual safety concerns”.

“They contribute to the deterioration of public infrastructure, jeopardise energy security, disrupt electricity supply, result in financial losses, and create an unsafe work environment.

“Eskom strongly condemns these violent acts and continues to work diligently with NATJOINTS to curb the crisis. However, should the situation persist, Eskom may be forced to withdraw its technicians from high-risk areas.

“This would inevitably lead to prolonged power outages and service disruptions, negatively affecting communities and businesses. The safety of Eskom employees is non-negotiable,” Eskom said.

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“As the NATJOINTS, we are confident that the measures that have been put in place are sufficient to ensure that the country’s upcoming general elections proceed without any incidents of crime and disruptions,” Deputy National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said on Sunday in Pretoria during a media briefing.

Led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the State Security Agency (SSA), the NATJOINTS has conducted a national security assessment with key role players in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster.

On 29 May 2024, South Africans will once again get an opportunity to exercise their right to vote in the 2024 National and Provincial elections, which marks the country’s seventh democratic elections.

“The planning for the safety and security of the 2024 General Elections has been finalised. The operational phase will commence from Wednesday, 22 May 2024 with the activation of the NATJOINTS Coordination Centre, until 09 June 2024

“This NATJOINTS Coordination Centre (NCC) is operating around the clock, closely monitoring the situation in the country through proactive identification of threats and vulnerabilities. The centre serves as a central point of contact for coordination of information and the reporting of incidents to ensure a swift, prompt and coordinated response,” Mosikili said.

This is where all operations in relation to major events in the country including the National and Provincial General Elections will be coordinated.

The NCC structure is mirrored at provincial level through the Provincial Joint Operation and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS), which is activated through the provincial joint operation centres.

The NATJOINTS and PROVJOINTS five-pillar approach is being implemented to ensure that all areas of concern are covered through:

• Intelligence gathering, analysis and co-ordination;
• Proactive approach, which includes high visibility to police, prevent and respond to any crime eventuality;
• Combat approach through law enforcement in response to any violation of the law through deployment of specialized units, supported by the SANDF should the need arise for the SANDF to exercise their secondary role of supporting the SAPS;
• Reactive approach through detection and case management; and the fifth approach; and
• Awareness and information sharing led by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Electoral Commission (IEC), the NATJOINTS and other government departments in keeping interest parties and communities at home and abroad updated through messaging that will enhance the safety and security of everyone in the country. The media will continuously be updated on a daily basis during the election period by the NATJOINTS.

“While measures have been put in place, the ultimate responsibility of a safe and secure election lies with each one of us. It is a partnership that is required to create harmony, respect for self and others even as we make our way to the polls and back home,” she said.

Risk assessment

Working through the Operational Intelligence Co-ordination Committee (OICC), the NATJOINTS have identified a number of high-risk voting stations and potentially volatile areas, which are being monitored on an on-going basis.

“Deployments are subsequently proportional to the level of risk identified through intensified operations, informed by thorough analysis and intelligence-based reports.

“Threats identified such as community protests are already being attended to and those that are found to be in contravention of the law are being dealt with. Our Public Order Policing Units are on the ground and are ready to prevent and combat any such incidents,” Mosikili said.

The NATJOINTS is aware of social media posts calling for a shutdown by a group of truck drivers.

“As previously communicated, there will be zero tolerance towards threats, intimidation and closure of our roads. Law enforcement agencies are on high alert to ensure there are no criminal activities and that law abiding citizens are not inconvenienced. We call on the Road Freight Industry workers to communicate their grievances within the confines of the law. We reiterate our stance, that no lawlessness and any form of criminality will be tolerated,” she said.

The NATJOINTS is in the first phase of the elections.

“To this end, the NATJOINTS is satisfied that from a security point of view, the securing of voter registrations, policing of gatherings, celebrations and demonstrations, intensifying stabilization at hotspot areas across the country, enhancing visibility and ensuring crime prevention around election related matters, has been executed with precision.

 “The second phase of the election, which is the period from the 27th [of May 2024] up until the announcement of the results, will see static deployments at voting stations, escorting of voter material and IEC staff, securing of election warehouses, transportation of voting material and the enforcement of the Electoral Act,” Mosikili explained.

During the third phase, which is the period after the election results have been officially announced, plans are already in place for police to monitor celebrations and gatherings.

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This includes deploying drones and helicopters, and supplying police with CCTV footage and access to their control room monitoring systems.

A meeting between private security role-players and police was held this week where police outlined their general elections security plan.

The plan, compiled by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), is based on a thorough threat and crime pattern analysis.

This includes police and voting stations, which have received threats of intimidation before Election Day, as well as areas prone to service delivery issues.

During a briefing on Sunday by the Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster, police minister Bheki Cele refused to go into detail about the national security plan.

However, Cele did reveal that out of the 23700 voting stations across the country, 500 were identified as high-risk.

“We are putting our eyes firmly on those. We have worked with the Independent Electoral Commission, we have those (voting stations) that are giving us problems,” he said.

This week members of The Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2), a joint crime-fighting initiative between SAPS, Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) and the private security industry, were briefed on the general elections security plan.

BACSA executive project manager Fouché Burgers said about 350 members of the E2 initiative will assist police both before and after elections.

“We had meetings with the police, we have regular meetings with the police not just during election time. During elections, it’s not only the day of elections, it’s both before and after. We will focus on being better eyes and ears for police, with our geographically broadened footprint of the private security industry across the country, and of course with technology such as helicopters and cameras. We will feed the police with situational information, what’s happening on the ground constantly, to make sure they are able to respond quicker.”

Burgers emphasised private security would not be taking over police functions but merely assist on a supportive basis.

It is understood that at least 20 helicopters will be supplied and deployed by private security in Gauteng alone during the election period.

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