Scores of mourners gathered at Medley House in Brakpan on Wednesday afternoon for the final memorial service of Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission. The emotional atmosphere was marked by uncontrollable tears from his wife.

A sombre mood gripped the venue as family and friends paid their last respects to Van der Merwe, who was gunned down last month. 

During the service, Van der Merwe’s wife, children, and other relatives were overcome with grief and wept openly. Following the memorial, his body will be cremated.

He was shot dead in front of his wife and children outside his Brakpan home late last month. 

Police said he had just arrived home with his wife when he was attacked as he attempted to open the gate.

“He was certified dead at the scene. His wife, who was a passenger in the vehicle, escaped unharmed. It should be noted that nothing was taken, as his firearm, cellphone and wallet were still in his possession,” police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said.

Mathe said evidence gathered at the scene confirmed that an AK-47 automatic rifle was used in the killing.

National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola recently said investigators were confident of an imminent breakthrough.

“We are confident that soon we will register a breakthrough as police remain on high alert for those behind the killing of Mr Van der Merwe,” Masemola said.

He added that police had located a vehicle believed to have been used in the hit.

“Video footage shows a white bakkie pulling up behind his vehicle as he was about to open the gate to his residence. He was thereafter shot several times and died on the scene,” Masemola said.

“At this stage, we believe that a white Chevrolet bakkie that was abandoned in Alexandra township, Johannesburg, fits the description of the vehicle we have been looking for. According to a preliminary investigation, the vehicle was abandoned on Saturday morning by two men, just hours after Van der Merwe was shot and killed.”

The vehicle will be taken for further forensic analysis.

Police have also identified three persons of interest.

“We are closing in on these suspects as our investigations reach a very advanced and sensitive stage,” Masemola said.

Investigators are also probing an attempted hit on Van der Merwe’s life in September, when two white men travelling in a Mahindra bakkie were allegedly following him.

“We are still looking for the murder weapon used in the commission of this crime. The possible motive is still under investigation, and we will not divulge any information at this stage until arrests are made and the matter is before the court,” Masemola said.

During his evidence at the Madlanga Commission, Van der Merwe alleged that suspended Ekurhuleni metro police department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi had instructed him to dispose of the body of Emmanuel Mbense, who died during an interrogation allegedly involving tubing at the hands of police officers.

However, Mkhwanazi denied the allegations.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

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