Former soap-opera actress and public figure Tebogo Thobejane has publicly condemned what she calls a broken justice system, following the brutal killing of Marius van der Merwe — known as “Witness D” — who was assassinated on Friday, 5 December 2025, outside his home in Brenthurst, Brakpan.
Witness D had recently testified before Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, in a high-stakes hearing into corruption, criminal syndicates and alleged police misconduct inside law enforcement structures. He reportedly implicated a suspended high-ranking police official in a murder cover-up during his testimony.
😢 Thobejane’s Outcry and What She Said
The day after the killing, Thobejane took to Instagram, sharing a series of raw, emotional stories in which she highlighted the failure of the state to protect those who come forward with sensitive information.
She lamented the fact that while “millions are being poured into commissions,” the people who “have suffered under criminals” remain unprotected. “Witness D’s death showed us everything we needed to know,” she wrote.
In her message, she emphasised that ordinary citizens — not just those behind the safe walls of commissions — bear the greatest risk. “The justice system does not care about ordinary citizens,” she said. “Those inside the commission sit behind protected walls. We are the ones who bleed, bury, and fear for our lives.”
Thobejane, a survivor of an assassination attempt in 2023, also spoke of her gratitude for friends who make sure she remains safe. She added that even with that support, the threats continue — a sign, she argued, of how broken the system truly is.
She didn’t shy away from calling out public figures: in one of her stories, she took direct aim at media personalities (including Tumelo Ramaphosa and Podcast and Chill Club) for previously making jokes about her earlier assassination attempt — questioning whether those comments were still “funny” now that a whistle-blower had been murdered in front of his children.
What Happened: The Murder of Witness D
According to police reports, Marius van der Merwe was shot and killed as he opened the gate to his home in Brakpan on Friday evening. He had arrived with his wife, and their children were reportedly in the car. The gunmen — at least two — opened fire; van der Merwe died on the spot, while his family escaped physically unharmed.
Ballistics investigators confirmed that an automatic rifle (AK-47) was used in the killing. A special police task team has been assembled to track down those responsible.
Authorities say that van der Merwe had previously declined an official offer of protection — he reportedly believed his own security company was enough.
Fallout: Anger, Warnings and Calls for Action
The killing has sparked outrage across South Africa. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) described the murder as a direct attack on justice — a signal to intimidate other witnesses and halt the work of the Madlanga Commission. They demanded an urgent and independent investigation, as well as immediate protection for all remaining witnesses.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) also condemned the killing, stating that the assassination is not just a crime against one individual but an assault on the rule of law and the integrity of the justice system. They called on the state to strengthen witness protection mechanisms.
Criminologists and experts warn that van der Merwe’s death could further erode public trust in law enforcement’s ability to safeguard whistle-blowers. There is growing fear that future witnesses may be discouraged from coming forward.
Why It Matters
The murder of a key witness so soon after he testified exposes glaring deficiencies in the very institutions meant to protect truth-tellers. It raises uncomfortable questions about the state’s commitment to justice and its capacity to shield those willing to risk everything to tell the truth.
For Thobejane — who has seen the other side of that risk — the tragedy is painfully personal. Her public condemnation brings visibility to the human cost behind investigations like the Madlanga Commission.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the killing as heinous and called for a thorough investigation, pledging enhanced efforts to protect witnesses going forward.
But many remain sceptical. Until tangible protections are in place — and criminals are held accountable — the murder of Witness D underlines the painful reality: in South Africa today, speaking truth can still mean putting your life on the line.
