President Ramaphosa condemns murder of whistle-blower Marius van der Merwe
Forensic teams at the scene of the murder of Witness D, Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe.
Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Media
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly denounced the killing of Marius van der Merwe, a former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officer and prominent figure in Brakpan’s security sector.
Van der Merwe, who had recently provided testimony before the Madlanga Commission, was fatally shot multiple times in front of his family outside their home on Friday evening. The presidency confirmed the incident in a statement released today.
Expressing his condolences, Ramaphosa described the murder as a direct assault on the pursuit of justice.
“This brutal act has taken the life of a man who stood up for truth and accountability. His courage in testifying before the Madlanga Commission was a service to our democracy,” the president said.
The Madlanga Commission, officially known as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, was launched by Ramaphosa in July 2025 to investigate systemic misconduct within law enforcement and judicial institutions.
Ramaphosa extended his sympathies to Van der Merwe’s family, who witnessed the attack firsthand.
“This family endured a horrifying ordeal. The nature of this crime suggests it may have been a targeted response to Mr. van der Merwe’s role in exposing wrongdoing,” he noted.
The President pledged that the government would strengthen protections for whistle-blowers and commission witnesses, emphasizing their essential role in confronting corruption.
“We are committed to safeguarding those who risk their safety to uphold the law. Their bravery must not be met with violence or intimidation,” he stated.
He concluded by urging law enforcement to leave no stone unturned in their investigation and to ensure that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice.