By Mapaballo Borotho
- Former task force member Matipandile Sotheni is facing 16 charges, including the murder of Madlanga Commission whistleblower Marius Van Der Merwe, also known as Witness D.
- Van Der Merwe was killed weeks after implicating Ekurhuleni officials in explosive testimony before the commission.
- The State is opposing bail, arguing that Sotheni’s background as a trained police sharpshooter makes him a high-risk accused.
Sixteen more charges have been added against high-risk alleged murderer Matipandile Sotheni.
Sotheni, a former task force member, is back before the Brakpan Regional Court for a formal bail application.
He is now facing 16 charges, including the brutal murder of Marius Van Der Merwe, a witness and whistleblower at the Madlanga Commission, also known as Witness D.
Van Der Merwe was shot dead outside his family home last year, just weeks after delivering chilling testimony that implicated officials from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Department at the Madlanga Commission.
Sotheni was arrested earlier this year in connection with the brazen murder.
He has repeatedly told the court that he had nothing to do with the killing of Witness D. However, the State believes it has a strong case against him and is therefore opposing bail.
Meanwhile, during his court appearance last week, Sotheni’s defence team was caught off guard when the State unexpectedly increased the charges against him from seven to 16.
The charges include premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of attempted murder, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The State argues that the charges are extremely serious. Prosecutors are expected to oppose Sotheni’s release on bail, citing his specialised, high-risk profile as a former police sharpshooter.
This is a developing story. Follow updates as the story unfolds @Kaya News on X.
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