The Independent Investigative Directorate (IPID) has revealed that the probe into the torture, death, and murder cover-up, allegedly by Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers, is at an advanced stage. The high-ranking officers, including suspended EMPD Acting Chief Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, were named by Marius van der Merwe (Witness D) at the Madlanga Commission for their alleged involvement in the crime.

Van der Merwe was shot dead last Friday, outside his home in Brakpan, weeks after delivering his testimony partially in-camera due to the sensitive nature of his evidence. On Monday, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said that three persons of interest have been identified and one has been taken in for questioning in connection with the murder of Van der Merwe, as police investigations continue. “We are confident that soon we will register a breakthrough as police remain on high alert for those behind the killing of Mr van der Merwe. Safe to say, investigations are on the right track.

The NATJOINTS together with Madlanga Commission has met and developed a plan to heighten and enhance security around officials and witnesses linked to the commission,” Masemola said. Lizzy Shuping, a spokesperson for the IPID, stated that the investigation is ongoing and has advanced. However, "before we hand over the docket to the National Prosecuting Authority, there are certain things that we need to finalize from our side." Van der Merwe revealed in his testimony the robbery suspect's alleged torture, which included being suffocated with plastic bag "tubing," which led to his death, and a cover-up on April 15, 2022, in Brakpan, involving members of the EMPD. The suspect was a Mozambican national.

Van der Merwe also told the Commission that Mkhwanazi arrived at the scene and instructed that the body be dumped either in a mineshaft or a dam to conceal the death. He claimed that Mkhwanazi's instruction was clearly given to him, and he took it to mean that he was expected to dispose of the deceased person's body out of fear. He also told the Commission that he drove the body to Nigel Dam and left it partially submerged. He went on to say that officers went out for drinks afterward, and the next morning, he burned his clothes. Van der Merwe stated that a number of the EMPD officers at the suspect's tortured home had long been associated with criminal activity. He stated that he reported the crime to the Hawks and IPID. Since then, Mkhwanazi has been suspended.

Mkhwanazi admitted to the commission, when he was questioned about Van der Merwe's testimony, that he went to the scene around 3 a.m. Political analyst from the University of Johannesburg, Professor Siphamandla Zondi, said that the entire justice system needs to be strengthened to stop witnesses being killed. When we spend billions on intelligence, it shouldn't be so easy to kill someone. Zondi stated, "Because these criminal gangs are known, the intelligence is supposed to intercept conversations, see all the planning, have cameras everywhere, and have informers everywhere."