A former member of an elite police unit has been charged with the murder of a whistleblower who testified at a major police corruption inquiry in South Africa. Matipandile Sotheni, 41, appeared in court accused of killing Marius van der Merwe in December last year.
Sotheni is accused of shooting dead Van der Merwe in full view of his family in a case that caused national outrage. He has not commented on the charges. Van der Merwe, identified only as Witness D during his appearance at the inquiry known as the Madlanga commission, had implicated police officials in the torture and murder of a suspected robber in his testimony.
His testimony was seen as blowing the lid on the extent of police corruption at a local level in South Africa and led to the suspension of several officers named in the allegations. The Madlanga commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa after a senior police officer alleged that organized crime groups had infiltrated the government, leading to the suspension of South Africa's Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has denied links to criminal gangs.
In addition to Van der Merwe, three of the 12 people implicated in the killing of the robbery suspect have since died: two were shot dead, and one committed suicide. The suspected robber identified as Emmanuel Mbense died in April 2022, a case previously shrouded in mystery until Van der Merwe's explosive testimony.
Van der Merwe's allegations included being ordered to dispose of Mbense's body by local police chief Julius Mkhwanazi, who has since been suspended over these accusations.
Sotheni was one of three suspects identified in Van der Merwe's murder, having been arrested over the weekend. Security was tight during his court appearance as he showed no emotion while being escorted by armed officers. Meanwhile, Van der Merwe's grieving wife was seen crying during the brief hearing. The case highlights growing concerns regarding the murder of whistleblowers in South Africa and the pervasive corruption within its police force.
The court case has been postponed to March 25 for a formal bail application, and Sotheni additionally faces charges related to attempts on the lives of Van der Merwe's wife and children.
Sotheni is accused of shooting dead Van der Merwe in full view of his family in a case that caused national outrage. He has not commented on the charges. Van der Merwe, identified only as Witness D during his appearance at the inquiry known as the Madlanga commission, had implicated police officials in the torture and murder of a suspected robber in his testimony.
His testimony was seen as blowing the lid on the extent of police corruption at a local level in South Africa and led to the suspension of several officers named in the allegations. The Madlanga commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa after a senior police officer alleged that organized crime groups had infiltrated the government, leading to the suspension of South Africa's Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has denied links to criminal gangs.
In addition to Van der Merwe, three of the 12 people implicated in the killing of the robbery suspect have since died: two were shot dead, and one committed suicide. The suspected robber identified as Emmanuel Mbense died in April 2022, a case previously shrouded in mystery until Van der Merwe's explosive testimony.
Van der Merwe's allegations included being ordered to dispose of Mbense's body by local police chief Julius Mkhwanazi, who has since been suspended over these accusations.
Sotheni was one of three suspects identified in Van der Merwe's murder, having been arrested over the weekend. Security was tight during his court appearance as he showed no emotion while being escorted by armed officers. Meanwhile, Van der Merwe's grieving wife was seen crying during the brief hearing. The case highlights growing concerns regarding the murder of whistleblowers in South Africa and the pervasive corruption within its police force.
The court case has been postponed to March 25 for a formal bail application, and Sotheni additionally faces charges related to attempts on the lives of Van der Merwe's wife and children.
