From SAPS Task Force to murder accused: Ex-cop named in killing of Witness D Nokuthula Khanyile Mon, 03/16/2026 - 17:30 PRETORIA – Police are confident they have arrested the triggerman in the murder of Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D. Matipandile Sotheni, a former member of the SAPS’ highly trained Special Task Force, made a brief appearance in the Brakpan Magistrate's Court on Monday. The case was postponed to 25 March for a bail application. Sotheni will face six charges, including conspiracy to murder, attempted murder and being in possession of an unlicensed firearm. An additional charge is likely to be added as he was also found in possession of various calibres of ammunition. The 41-year-old was arrested in Johannesburg at the weekend by a specialised task team probing information from the Madlanga Commission. READ | Family seeks justice for Marius van der Merwe Van der Merwe was killed in a hail of bullets in a drive-by shooting on 5 December outside his Brakpan home. Police are still searching for the AK47 used in the murder. Police believe Sotheni and Wiandre Pretorius, who killed himself in February, were the two occupants of the Suzuki Swift used in Van
