The POLICE believe that the man arrested for the murder of a witness who testified secretly at the Commission investigating the allegations made by the Commissioner of Police in KwaZulu-Natal, was noticed by Mr. Marius Van Der Merwe because it is known that he will make a noise because he has worked for a police unit that does not miss a bullet.
The police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said that those who hired Mr. Matopandile Sotheni, to kill Van Der Merwe, picked him up because they knew that he received high level training when he joined the Special Task Force.
He said this while speaking to the media, at the Magistrate’s Court in Brakpan, where Sotheni appeared.
The defendant was charged with conspiracy to murder, intentional murder and attempted murder of Van Der Merwe’s wife and children.
Van Der Merwe was nominated in front of his family. A person in a passing car was shot after testifying before the Commission led by Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
During his testimony, Van Der Merwe was criticized by many people including the Kurhuleni Municipal Police.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said Sotheni worked for the special police unit between 2010 and 2019.
“He shot from the car. A person who can do this is someone who is really trained with a gun. He only shot twice, Van Der Merwe was killed by one bullet. This tells you that Sotheni was hired because they knew he would make a noise. Police under the special unit receive high-level training. That’s why they trust Sotheni.”
Brigadier Mathe said the investigation revealed that Sotheni started following Van Der Merwe in November, until he shot him in early December.
Brigadier Mathe said Sotheni was with the suspect who committed suicide, Mr. Wiandre Pretorius, when he was looking for Van Der Merwe.
“Pretorius was the one who was driving the car. In fact, Pretorius was the first suspect in this case.”
Brigadier Mathe said that the car that was used during the arrest of Van Der Merwe belonged to Sotheni’s girlfriend.
He said they will oppose Sotheni’s bail request.
“He is a danger to society and that is why we will oppose his bail request.”
Brigadier Mathe said that Sotheni was found with a lot of ammunition when he was arrested, and said that others may be arrested for the murder of Van Der Merwe as the investigation is still ongoing.
