The man accused of murdering a key witness in a high-profile inquiry has been described by police as a highly trained marksman whose skills closely resemble those of a sniper. His social media presence, filled with images and videos of firearms and shooting exercises, has now become a focal point in the investigation.
Matipandile Sotheni, 42, appeared in court facing charges of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and possession of unlawful ammunition. He is accused of killing Marius van der Merwe, widely known as Witness D, who had previously testified at the Madlanga commission of inquiry. In his testimony, Van der Merwe allegedly implicated members of the Ekurhuleni metro police and other officers in a cover-up related to a murder case.
According t
o police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Sotheni’s background in law enforcement and advanced firearms training made him particularly dangerous. She stated that his level of expertise suggests he may have been deliberately selected for the assassination due to his precision and ability to carry out a “clean job.”
Investigators believe the fatal shooting, which took place outside Van der Merwe’s home in Brakpan in December, was carefully executed. The gunman reportedly fired from a moving vehicle, hitting the victim with a single fatal shot. Police say such accuracy under those conditions points to a shooter with exceptional training.
Sotheni’s career history supports this claim. He joined the police service in 2005 as a warrant officer and later became part of the elite Special Task Force. His training reportedly included advanced tactical shooting, survival skills, and participation in international competitions. On social media, he frequently shared content showcasing his abilities, including videos of himself shooting targets such as eggs and fruit from long distances.
Authorities suspect that the murder may have been a contract killing linked to Van der Merwe’s testimony at the commission. At the time of the incident, Sotheni was working as a security guard for a wealthy family in Houghton, raising further questions about his activities outside his formal employment.
Additional details have emerged linking others to the crime. Police revealed that Wiandre Pretorius, who died earlier this year from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, allegedly drove Sotheni on the day of the murder. Investigators are also pursuing another suspect believed to be connected to the case, though no further arrests have been made yet.
The state’s case against Sotheni is expected to rely on a combination of evidence, including cellphone records, tracking data, and witness testimonies. Authorities have also obtained search warrants for multiple properties where the murder weapon may have been hidden.
Police officials noted that the level of training Sotheni received would have cost the state more than R1 million, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations against a former officer entrusted with such skills.
The case has been postponed to March 25, when Sotheni is expected to apply for bail. Meanwhile, investigations continue as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the network behind the killing of Witness D.
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