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Brakpan Magistrate Court – MDNtv https://mdntvlive.com MDNtv is a nonprofit public-interest media and youth journalism organisation strengthening accountability, civic education, access to justice, community information, disability inclusion and youth livelihoods in South Africa. Tue, 19 May 2026 11:47:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://mdntvlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/mdntv-icon.png Brakpan Magistrate Court – MDNtv https://mdntvlive.com 32 32 He Wanted Witness D Killed- Phone Records, Ballistics & Admission Place Accused Near Victim.  https://mdntvlive.com/he-wanted-witness-d-killed-phone-records-ballistics-admission-place-accused-near-victim/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=he-wanted-witness-d-killed-phone-records-ballistics-admission-place-accused-near-victim https://mdntvlive.com/he-wanted-witness-d-killed-phone-records-ballistics-admission-place-accused-near-victim/#respond Tue, 19 May 2026 11:45:46 +0000 https://mdntvlive.com/?p=89924 Former Special Task Force member Matipandile Sotheni appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 18 May 2026, for a […]

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]]> Former Special Task Force member Matipandile Sotheni appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 18 May 2026, for a formal bail application,  as shocking new details emerged about the murder of Marius van der Merwe, better known as Witness D from the Madlanga Commission.
According to evidence presented in court, Sotheni admitted he traveled to Brakpan multiple times in the days leading up to Witness D’s assassination, including on the day he was gunned down outside his home in December 2025.
The court heard that Sotheni drove around in a black Suzuki Swift registered to his girlfriend,  the same vehicle prosecutors say Witness D had warned friends about shortly before his death. In WhatsApp messages read in court, Witness D allegedly said the vehicle had been repeatedly spotted near his home.
But one of the most chilling revelations involved conversations between Sotheni and former police reservist Wiandre Pretorius.
Sotheni told the court that Pretorius appeared stressed after his name surfaced during the Madlanga Commission hearings and repeatedly wanted to meet face-to-face in Brakpan. During one of those meetings, Sotheni claims Pretorius asked whether he knew anyone who could “help him with his problem”, something Sotheni said he understood to mean Pretorius wanted Witness D killed.
The state also revealed that cellphone records allegedly show both Sotheni and Pretorius switched off their phones at the same time around the period of the murder, something investigators believe may have been done deliberately to conceal their movements.
Prosecutors further claimed ballistic analysis linked cartridge cases recovered at the murder scene to a firearm allegedly issued to Sotheni.
During searches at Sotheni’s home, police say they discovered ammunition, rifle cartridges, magazines, tactical equipment, and Special Task Force uniforms.
The state believes Witness D was targeted after testifying before the Madlanga Commission about alleged criminal networks and the murder of Emmanuel Mbense.
Pretorius, who was later shot at outside his Boksburg home, died by suicide in February 2026, just days after surviving the attack.
The case against Sotheni has been postponed to 21 May for a further bail application

The post He Wanted Witness D Killed- Phone Records, Ballistics & Admission Place Accused Near Victim.  appeared first on MDNtv.

]]> https://mdntvlive.com/he-wanted-witness-d-killed-phone-records-ballistics-admission-place-accused-near-victim/feed/ 0 BREAKTHROUGH: Suspect Arrested For Murder Of Madlanga Commission Witness https://mdntvlive.com/breakthrough-suspect-arrested-for-murder-of-madlanga-commission-witness/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=breakthrough-suspect-arrested-for-murder-of-madlanga-commission-witness Sat, 14 Mar 2026 20:30:41 +0000 https://mdntvlive.com/?p=82486 Police have made a major breakthrough in the murder investigation of Marius Van Der Merwe, widely known as Witness D, […]

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]]> Police have made a major breakthrough in the murder investigation of Marius Van Der Merwe, widely known as Witness D, whose killing shocked the country and raised serious concerns around witnesses linked to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

A specialised task team established to investigate cases arising from the Madlanga Commission has arrested a suspect believed to be the gunman responsible for the killing.

The task team was established by National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Fannie Masemola on the instruction of the President to prioritise investigations linked to the commission.

Read also:BREAKTHROUGH: Suspect Arrested For Murder Of Madlanga Commission Witness

SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that investigators obtained a J50 warrant of arrest earlier this week after gathering what she described as overwhelming evidence.

The suspect was arrested in Johannesburg on Saturday.

Police have also seized the vehicle believed to have been used during the murder, while search and seizure operations are continuing at several addresses linked to the suspect.

“The suspect believed to be the one who allegedly shot and killed Marius Van Der Merwe was arrested in Johannesburg,” said Mathe.

“The team is still on the ground where they are busy with search and seizure operations at various identified addresses of the suspect.”

The arrested suspect is expected to make his first appearance before the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

National Commissioner Fannie Masemola praised the investigation team for acting swiftly in securing the arrest, describing it as an important step in ensuring accountability in the high-profile case.

The murder of Van Der Merwe, known as Witness D in matters linked to the Madlanga Commission, sparked national concern over the safety of individuals connected to the inquiry.

Investigations remain ongoing and police have indicated that further developments may follow.

MDNtv continues to follow the story closely and will bring updates as the case unfolds.

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