Brakpan Security Boss Assassinated After Testifying on Corruption
Brakpan has been left reeling after the assassination of Marius van der Merwe, a well-known security boss and key witness in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Van der Merwe, owner of QRF Task Team, was gunned down outside his home on Friday night, in full view of his wife and children. This tragic event occurred just weeks after he provided damning testimony to the commission, which is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system, particularly in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).
Van der Merwe's murder comes after he survived a previous assassination attempt in September. According to police records (case number 113/09/2025 at Brakpan Police Station), the incident took place near the Plastic City informal settlement in Ekurhuleni. During that attack, Van der Merwe was on patrol in his Volvo S40 when a white Mahindra bakkie rammed his vehicle and opened fire. Van der Merwe returned fire, and the attackers fled. Despite the severity of the incident, no arrests were made, and the case remains under investigation.
In a voice note sent last week to eNCA presenter Yusuf Abramjee, Van der Merwe expressed that his life was in danger. This message followed Abramjee’s post on X about a private security company shutting down an illegal mineshaft near a racecourse in Benoni, with reports of trapped zama zamas and a body brought to the surface. Van der Merwe told Abramjee that the body was of someone buried alive and offered to share his story publicly, stating he had "all the intelligence" on state actors facilitating illegal mining.
Abramjee confirmed receiving the message and speaking with Van der Merwe, who insisted on an open interview, believing he would soon be killed and wanting the truth to come out. "He insisted on speaking openly and freely because he was fairly sure he would be shot in the coming days and wanted everything to come out," Abramjee said. They had agreed to conduct the interview this week, but tragically, Van der Merwe was murdered before it could take place.
Just hours before his death, Van der Merwe and his family had dinner at Rosetulee, a popular family restaurant in Brakpan. Antonio Meireles, a manager at the restaurant, stated that Van der Merwe was a regular patron and well-liked by the staff. The restaurant is preserving CCTV footage from that night for the police to review, to determine whether Van der Merwe was followed home.
According to reports, upon arriving at his residence in Brenthurst around 8.30pm, attackers armed with an AK-47 ambushed Van der Merwe, opening fire on the driver's side of his Alfa Romeo. His wife and children, who were in the back seat, escaped unharmed. The assailants fled in a white Nissan NP200 bakkie.
Van der Merwe was widely known as "Vlam" (Flame) and was renowned for his relentless fight against zama zamas (illegal miners). He recently testified anonymously before the Madlanga Commission under the pseudonym "Witness D," providing explosive details about corruption and murder within the Ekurhuleni metro police, where he previously worked.
His testimony on 14 November included allegations about an operation in Brakpan where a suspect apprehended for robbing a warehouse was allegedly suffocated to death. Van der Merwe testified that after the suspect offered a bribe of R500,000, he witnessed a plastic bag being placed over the suspect’s head. He further claimed that Julius Mkhwanazi, then a brigadier and director of specialised services at the metro police, instructed them to dispose of the body in a mineshaft or dam. Van der Merwe stated that he was coerced into dumping the body at Spaarwater Pan in Nigel. He also testified that he was threatened with death if he spoke out about the incident.
Mkhwanazi himself appeared before the Madlanga Commission, admitting he was present at the house that night but denying any involvement in a murder or the disposal of a body.
Jongizizwe Dlabathi, the ANC’s regional secretary in Ekurhuleni, visited Van der Merwe’s home to express condolences and stated that there appears to be a direct link between Van der Merwe’s testimony and his assassination. "I believe it was planned in advance to kill him so that he could not give evidence in court," Dlabathi said, adding that the credibility of the metro police is now seriously being called into question. He also acknowledged Van der Merwe’s involvement in anti-zama zama operations and allegations that officials, including metro police officers, have a direct stake in them.
Van der Merwe was instrumental in curbing illegal mining activities in the area, and his security company, QRF Task Team, was responsible for closing numerous mine shafts operated by zama zamas. The company's website states that it formed part of a national task team to disrupt and destroy illegal mining and its impact on the economy and communities.
Mmamoloko Kubayi, the Minister of Justice, stated that authorities had offered Van der Merwe protection, but he declined it, feeling he did not need it due to owning his own security company. However, Van der Merwe's wife, Leanne, was unaware of this offer.
Leanne van der Merwe, his wife and the mother of his children, expressed her devastation, stating, "Our country has lost a hero." She told Rapport that her two children witnessed their father’s murder and are struggling to cope.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed shock and sadness over Van der Merwe’s murder, believing it was a direct result of his courageous testimony. "Elements in society want to undermine the rule of law and roll back the fight against corruption. The government will double down on efforts to protect whistleblowers and witnesses," Ramaphosa stated.
Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, the DA’s spokesperson on justice and constitutional development, has demanded better protection for witnesses and whistleblowers. "This matter points to mafia-state behaviour that South Africa has never experienced before on this scale. It is frightening, brutal and clearly intended to intimidate. No family should ever pay this price for someone’s courage to testify," Breytenbach said.
The Madlanga Commission has acknowledged Van der Merwe’s contribution to uncovering serious allegations of criminality and corruption and extended its deepest condolences to his family. The commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, said, "The commission would like to acknowledge Van der Merwe’s contribution towards uncovering serious allegations of criminality and corruption in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department."
Police investigations are ongoing to determine whether Van der Merwe’s murder is linked to his anti-zama zama actions, his testimony before the Madlanga Commission, or both.
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