Marius van der Merwe Death and Obituary – The community of Brakpan and many across South Africa are reeling after the tragic killing of Marius van der Merwe, widely known by the nicknames “Vlam” and “Witness D” in the ongoing Madlanga Commission. Van der Merwe, a former officer with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and the owner of QRF Task Team security company, was fatally shot on Friday, December 5, 2025, in front of his wife and children. The chilling nature of his death has sparked widespread concern, not only because of the brutality of the act, but also because it occurred so soon after his high-profile testimony before the commission investigating illegal mining operations in South Africa.
Van der Merwe’s life was marked by a professional commitment to security, law enforcement, and the pursuit of truth within highly dangerous environments. As both a former EMPD member and a private security operator specializing in high-risk interventions, he had firsthand knowledge of the criminal networks embedded in illegal mining, widely associated with “Zama Zama” operations across Gauteng. His security expertise and proximity to these activities ultimately positioned him as a crucial whistleblower.
According to early reports, Van der Merwe was ambushed outside his Brakpan home on the East Rand. The attack unfolded in front of his family, leaving his wife and children traumatized and the community in shock. Paramedics and law enforcement arrived at the scene swiftly, but Van der Merwe succumbed to his injuries. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the gunmen, though no arrests had been confirmed as of the weekend following the shooting.
His death came merely weeks after he testified before the Madlanga Commission in November 2025, an inquiry examining corruption, criminal infiltration, and governance failures surrounding illegal mining in South Africa. Under the pseudonym “Witness D,” Van der Merwe delivered testimony that drew national attention. He alleged that high-ranking officials within the EMPD were involved in serious misconduct, including claims that suspended Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi instructed him to dispose of a body. He further described operations to seal abandoned mine shafts and disrupt Zama Zama activity—efforts he suggested were undermined by corrupt forces protecting illegal mining networks.
Concerns about Van der Merwe’s safety had surfaced even before his death. He had reportedly expressed fears that he might be targeted and spoke openly about the possibility of being shot. Despite the sensitive nature of his testimony and his willingness to reveal his identity publicly, no formal witness protection measures appear to have been put in place. This failure has drawn criticism from community members, legal observers, and political figures who argue that the state should have taken proactive steps to ensure his safety.
Van der Merwe is remembered as a courageous figure devoted to exposing criminality, even in the face of life-threatening danger. His death not only leaves a family devastated, but also raises troubling questions about the protection of whistleblowers in South Africa. As the investigation continues, the public waits for answers—and for justice.
