Matipandile Sotheni, a former member of the police’s elite Special Task Force, was denied bail by the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court.

The man who is alleged to have shot dead Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission, has been denied bail.

Matipandile Sotheni, a former member of the police’s elite Special Task Force, was denied bail by the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court after Magistrate Tlakale Sathekge found that he could likely endanger others, including Van der Merwe’s family, influence witnesses, and tamper with evidence.

Sathekge ruled that the interests of justice favoured detaining Sotheni ahead of his trial.

“There is a likelihood that the accused, if he were released on bail, would attempt to evade his trial due to the nature and the gravity of the charges on which the accused is to be tried,” said Sathekge.

More to follow.

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