Former Special Task Force member, Matipandile Sotheni. Former Special Task Force member, Matipandile Sotheni, 41, accused of killing Marius van der Merwe, who was known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission, has denied any involvement into the killing.
Matipandile Sotheni, who is accused of killing Marius van der Merwe, who was known as “Witness D,” has told the court his family would suffer if he remained behind bars, saying his 82-year-old father is battling cancer and depended on him for support.
He pleaded to be released on bail because of his family responsibilities.
The accused, Sotheni, appeared in Brakpan Magistrates Court for the continuation of his bail application after proceedings began earlier this week.
He was arrested on March 14, 2026, in connection with the fatal shooting of Van der Merwe at his Brakpan home on December 5, 2025.
