Witness D's assassination raises alarm over safety of whistleblowers in South Africa

The assassination of Marius 'Vlam' van Der Merwe, known as Witness D, has ignited a firestorm of outrage and calls for justice across South Africa. The former member of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) was gunned down in Brakpan on Friday night, sparking grave concerns about the safety of whistleblowers in a country facing increasing political corruption.

Van Der Merwe's testimony just last month at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into alleged political interference in the criminal justice system revealed shocking claims. He accused suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi of ordering him to dispose of a body connected to a murder cover-up. During the commission’s proceedings, Mkhwanazi vehemently denied these allegations. This intensifying feud has now escalated into a tragic fatality, fuelling fears about reprisals against those who dare to speak out.

Reaction from political circles has been immediate and forceful. ActionSA MP Dareleen James described Witness D's murder as "sickening," reflecting the fears of many about South Africa's descent into a "mafia state" as it becomes increasingly dangerous for those who challenge the status quo.

James stated, "While the full details are still being established, ActionSA believes that the protection of whistle-blowers and witnesses can no longer be a matter that government and law enforcement continue to kick down the road."

Witness D was reportedly with his wife and two children when he was shot dead—an act that has triggered widespread condemnation across party lines. Nhlamulo Ndhlela, spokesperson for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), called the shooting “a national emergency” and a “devastating indictment” of the Government of National Unity’s failure to safeguard those who come forward in defence of truth and justice. Ndhlela lamented the fact that “this act of brutality should be seen as a horrifying reminder of past failures.”

He pointed to the previous assassinations of whistleblowers such as Babita Deokaran, calling it a chilling indication of the government’s negligence in protecting individuals who expose wrongdoing. “The murder of the late Ms Babita Deokaran should have been an unmistakable warning,” he argued, highlighting that the lives of whistleblowers remain at risk.

Amidst this turmoil, Acting Gauteng Police Commissioner General Fred Kekana confirmed that Witness D was not under any official witness protection programme at the time of his murder, despite the gravity of his testimony. Kekana acknowledged the ongoing investigation by the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) into the earlier incident involving Mkhwanazi.

"We had an idea of what’s going on,” said Kekana, promising thorough investigations but leaving many questions unanswered. “No one has the right to take the life of anyone for whatever reason,” he added, hinting at a desire for transparency and accountability amidst rising concerns over public safety and state response.