Ex-police task force member back in court over Madlanga Commission witness murder
The alleged discovery of a cellphone linked to Matipandile Sotheni inside a correctional facility remains a key part of the State’s investigation into the murder of Madlanga Commission witness D, Marius Van der Merwe.
Former South African Police Service (SAPS) Special Task Force member Matipandile Sotheni is set to appear in Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday, in connection with the murder of Madlanga Commission witness D, Marius Van der Merwe. The matter was postponed earlier to allow the State to conduct further investigations following the discovery of a cellphone linked to Sotheni inside a correctional facility.
Sotheni, 42, is accused of being the triggerman in the murder of Van der Merwe, who was shot dead outside his home in Brakpan in December 2025. During the previous court appearance, the State requested additional time to download the contents of Sotheni's cellphone and to complete the mapping of his cellphone records, which involves comparing cellphone movements with tracking information obtained from the vehicle allegedly used in the murder.
The investigation also involves examining the cellphone records of the late police informant Wiandre Pretorius and his fiancée, Juan-Maré Eksteen. Sotheni's legal team opposed the postponement, arguing that the State had already been given sufficient time to conclude its investigations. However, Magistrate Tlakale Sathekge ultimately postponed the matter to November 2.
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