A former member of an elite police unit has been charged with the murder of a whistleblower who testified at a major corruption inquiry in South Africa.
Matipandile Sotheni, 41, appeared in court accused of killing Marius van der Merwe in December last year. Prosecutors say the victim was shot in front of his family in a case that sparked national outrage.
Van der Merwe had testified at the Madlanga Commission, where he revealed details about alleged police corruption and the torture and killing of robbery suspect Emmanuel Mbense.
The inquiry was established by Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s president, after claims that organised crime had infiltrated parts of the government and police service.
Police say Sotheni was the alleged hitman in the drive-by shooting, while another suspect believed to have been the driver has since died. Authorities are still searching for the weapon used in the attack.
Sotheni also faces charges of attempting to murder Van der Merwe’s wife and children. The case has been postponed to 25 March for a bail hearing.
