Police say they are making progress in the investigation into the killing of Madlanga Commission whistle-blower Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, confirming that three persons of interest have been identified, with one already taken in for questioning.
Speaking during a walkabout in Saulsville, the national police commissioner expressed confidence that a breakthrough is near, saying investigators are following strong leads and working around the clock.
Van der Merwe, known affectionately as “Vlam”, was shot dead in Brakpan on Friday night in front of his wife and children. The attack shocked the country, especially because it happened just three weeks after he implicated a senior police official in wrongdoing during testimony before the Madlanga Commission.
New CCTV footage has revealed van der Merwe speaking to the men believed to be behind the hit shortly before the fatal shooting, information that investigators are now analysing closely.
Police say security measures have now been tightened around all officials and witnesses linked to the commission. A coordinated national plan has also been activated to make sure no one else connected to the inquiry becomes a target.
According to police leadership, the investigation is moving in the right direction—and they expect results soon.