Marius van der Merwe was assassinated outside his home, weeks after testifying about an alleged murder cover-up.

• A suspect believed to be the gunman in the killing of Marius van der Merwe was arrested in Johannesburg.
• The arrest was made by a specialised police task team.
• The suspect is expected to appear in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

A suspect believed to be the triggerman in the assassination of Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, has been arrested in Johannesburg.

The arrest was made by a specialised police task team established by national police commissioner Fannie Masemola, on the instruction of President Cyril Ramaphosa, to investigate cases arising from the commission.

According to the police’s national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the team secured a warrant of arrest earlier this week after gathering what they described as overwhelming evidence.

The suspect, believed to be the person who allegedly shot and killed Van der Merwe, was arrested in Johannesburg on Saturday.

“Investigators are currently conducting search and seizure operations at several addresses linked to the suspect. Police have also seized a vehicle believed to have been used during the murder of the witness,” said Mathe.

READ | Pretorius was a person of interest in Witness D’s murder, police say

The suspect is expected to make his first appearance in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Van der Merwe, a former officer of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department and owner of a private security company, made explosive allegations before the commission about corruption and an alleged cover-up involving members of the metro police.

He was shot and killed outside his home in Brakpan in December, shortly after appearing before the commission.

His murder raised serious concerns about the safety of whistleblowers and witnesses involved in sensitive investigations.