Overview
- National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said three persons of interest have been identified and one individual has been taken in for questioning.
- Investigators say evidence shows an AK-47 was used and the attackers arrived in a white Nissan NP200 bakkie outside the victim’s Brakpan home on 5 December.
- CCTV footage reported by media appears to show van der Merwe speaking with the assailants and attempting to draw his weapon before he was shot in view of his family.
- NatJoints and the Madlanga Commission have met and adopted a plan to heighten security for officials and witnesses linked to the inquiry.
- Van der Merwe had recently testified about alleged torture and a body disposal involving EMPD officers, implicating Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi in his account, and President Cyril Ramaphosa condemned the murder and pledged stronger protections for whistleblowers.