Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission, was shot dead in Brakpan just hours after sending a voice note stating he was ready to expose alleged state-linked role players behind illegal mining syndicates.
Van der Merwe had recently testified about corruption within the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department and had approached journalists saying he feared he could be killed.
He told anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee that he wanted to go public and identify individuals allegedly facilitating illegal mining in South Africa.
Investigators are probing whether his killing is connected to his testimony, his intelligence on illegal mining networks, or another factor. No motive has been confirmed.
The murder has reignited urgent calls for stronger protection of whistleblowers and witnesses in South Africa’s ongoing fight against organised crime.
🎥 Credit: Yusuf Abramjee
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