Police probe attempted hit on Madlanga-linked figure

Gauteng police have launched a manhunt for suspects linked to the attempted hit on a former police officer, Wiandre Pretorius in Boksburg.

Pretorius, whose name was mentioned by a witness at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, was ambushed outside his home, shortly after leaving a nearby fuel station.

He was allegedly implicated by the late Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D, who accused the former cop of being involved in the killing of a man whose body was dumped in a dam in Ekurhuleni in 2022.

Van der Merwe was shot and killed outside his home in Brakpan in December.

Gauteng provincial Police Commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni, confirmed that police are investigating a case of attempted murder.

“Based on our observation, we have since noticed that there are 16 bullets around the vehicle. I’ll say, yeah, around the vehicle. And he was not harmed or he escaped unharmed, and suddenly that vehicle sped off,” Mthombeni said.

“Nothing was taken, and of course, when you’re having a shooting incident or exchange of fire, you’ll of course get the cartridges on the crime scene and obviously, that we do have. Currently, the vehicle on which the victim was using is part of the crime scene being processed.”

Meanwhile, Madlanga Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels, says Pretorius has not yet approached the commission with any information.

“After the assassination, the brutal killing of Marius van der Merwe,  known as witness D, as you say, the commission met with the relevant law enforcement agencies under the umbrella of the NAT Joints, the National Security and Intelligence Structure,  and we have taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of both witnesses and, of course, the commission staff,” Michaels said.

“But of course, we are concerned for the lives of any people who may have information that is relevant to the commission, and we urge all individuals who have information that can assist the commission in its work within the terms of reference.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa says they are working to tighten security at the Madlanga Commission to protect witnesses.

“We are terribly appalled at attempts that are being made by those who have been doing wrong things against witnesses, and we want to tighten security much more so that those witnesses who are giving evidence online should not be easily identified,” Ramaphosa said.

“This is the reason why we set up the Madlanga Commission so that we can get to the heart of all the shenanigans that are happening with regard to these gangs and these entities that are trying to capture the police.”