Slain Madlanga commission witness’s family tells the Sunday Times of their heartbreak

Yoliswa Sobuwa

Yoliswa Sobuwa

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06 December 2025. A distraught Leeanne Mclean the wife of the murdered Marius “vlam" van der Merwe could not hide her tears as she witnessed her husband take his last breath in the presence of his kids and wife. Picture. Thapelo Morebudi

06 December 2025. A distraught Leeanne Mclean the wife of the murdered Marius “vlam" van der Merwe could not hide her tears as she witnessed her husband take his last breath in the presence of his kids and wife. Picture. Thapelo Morebudi

06 December 2025. A distraught Leeanne Mclean the wife of the murdered Marius “vlam" van der Merwe could not hide her tears as she witnessed her husband take his last breath in the presence of his kids and wife. Picture. Thapelo Morebudi

06 December 2025. A distraught Leeanne Mclean the wife of the murdered Marius “vlam" van der Merwe could not hide her tears as she witnessed her husband take his last breath in the presence of his kids and wife. Picture. Thapelo Morebudi

06 December 2025. A distraught Leeanne Mclean the wife of the murdered Marius “vlam" van der Merwe could not hide her tears as she witnessed her husband take his last breath in the presence of his kids and wife. Picture. Thapelo Morebudi

06 December 2025. A distraught Leeanne Mclean the wife of the murdered Marius “vlam" van der Merwe could not hide her tears as she witnessed her husband take his last breath in the presence of his kids and wife. Picture. Thapelo Morebudi

06 December 2025. A distraught Leeanne Mclean the wife of the murdered Marius “vlam" van der Merwe could not hide her tears as she witnessed her husband take his last breath in the presence of his kids and wife. Picture. Thapelo Morebudi

(Thapelo Morebudi)

(Thapelo Morebudi)

Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe knew he was living on borrowed time.

Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe knew he was living on borrowed time.

Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe knew he was living on borrowed time.

“When we asked him to beef up his security, he said no amount of security would protect him,” his mother-in law, Lesley McLean, said. “He knew they were coming for him. He had done what he needed to do when he testified during the commission. He was prepared to die, but as a family we were not prepared to lose him.”

Julius Mkhwanazi

QRF Task Team security company owner Mariius "Vlam" van der Merwe, who worked with police to combat illegal mining on the East Rand, was fatally shot on Friday night.

QRF Task Team security company owner Mariius "Vlam" van der Merwe, who worked with police to combat illegal mining on the East Rand, was fatally shot on Friday night.

QRF Task Team security company owner Mariius "Vlam" van der Merwe, who worked with police to combat illegal mining on the East Rand, was fatally shot on Friday night.

His death has raised questions about the level of protection for South African whistleblowers as well as witness-risk assessments and protection mechanisms.

Through tears, Lesley said they were in the house when she heard a thunderous sound and her husband shouted, “Get down, get down.”

“My husband was watching TV in the bedroom when the incident happened. I was in the kitchen. Everything happened so fast. In a few seconds, it was quiet. We ran outside because Lee-Anne was shouting, ‘Daddy, daddy, Marius has been shot.’ As we approached the gate, she screamed, saying Marius is dead,” she said. The couple had been together for 11 years.

“My husband was watching TV in the bedroom when the incident happened. I was in the kitchen. Everything happened so fast. In a few seconds, it was quiet. We ran outside because Lee-Anne was shouting, ‘Daddy, daddy, Marius has been shot.’ As we approached the gate, she screamed, saying Marius is dead,” she said. The couple had been together for 11 years.

Lesley said her daughter told her that a car had followed them from the bridge along the main road. When they turned onto their street, the vehicle slowed behind them.

“Marius went out to open the gate, because it opens manually. The car passed them slightly, then they started opening fire,” she said.

“Vlam”, 41, would have celebrated his birthday on December 20. Lee-Anne has barely slept since the shooting, Lesley said. As mourners filed in, she stared into space, tears streaming down her face.

“Vlam”, 41, would have celebrated his birthday on December 20. Lee-Anne has barely slept since the shooting, Lesley said. As mourners filed in, she stared into space, tears streaming down her face.

A distraught Lee-Anne Mclean, the wife of the murdered Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe, could not hide her tears as she witnessed her husband take his last breath.

A distraught Lee-Anne Mclean, the wife of the murdered Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe, could not hide her tears as she witnessed her husband take his last breath.

A distraught Lee-Anne Mclean, the wife of the murdered Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe, could not hide her tears as she witnessed her husband take his last breath.

A distraught Lee-Anne Mclean, the wife of the murdered Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe, could not hide her tears as she witnessed her husband take his last breath.

(Thapelo Morebudi)

(Thapelo Morebudi)

The first attempt on Van der Merwe’s life, Lesley said, was “a few months ago” at Plastic City, a notorious informal settlement in Brakpan that was demolished in October by the EMPD in a major operation targeting illegal miners. Van der Merwe’s security company, QRF Task Team, was providing security in the area.

The first attempt on Van der Merwe’s life, Lesley said, was “a few months ago” at Plastic City, a notorious informal settlement in Brakpan that was demolished in October by the EMPD in a major operation targeting illegal miners. Van der Merwe’s security company, QRF Task Team, was providing security in the area.

The first attempt on Van der Merwe’s life, Lesley said, was “a few months ago” at Plastic City, a notorious informal settlement in Brakpan that was demolished in October by the EMPD in a major operation targeting illegal miners. Van der Merwe’s security company, QRF Task Team, was providing security in the area.

The first attempt on Van der Merwe’s life, Lesley said, was “a few months ago” at Plastic City, a notorious informal settlement in Brakpan that was demolished in October by the EMPD in a major operation targeting illegal miners. Van der Merwe’s security company, QRF Task Team, was providing security in the area.

He told the commission a plastic bag had been placed over the suspect’s head to suffocate him, and Vlam said he held the suspect’s legs down with a broken table leg to get him to reveal where stolen goods were kept. He left the house briefly but later saw Brakpan officers hurrying out. When he asked if the suspect had talked, he was told, “He will never talk again.”

He told the commission a plastic bag had been placed over the suspect’s head to suffocate him, and Vlam said he held the suspect’s legs down with a broken table leg to get him to reveal where stolen goods were kept. He left the house briefly but later saw Brakpan officers hurrying out. When he asked if the suspect had talked, he was told, “He will never talk again.”

Mkhwanazi later arrived in a dark tracksuit. After meeting with metro officers, he allegedly told the group to dump the suspect’s body in a mine shaft or dam. Mkhwanazi was suspended on November 11 after an internal audit into allegations of misconduct.

Mkhwanazi later arrived in a dark tracksuit. After meeting with metro officers, he allegedly told the group to dump the suspect’s body in a mine shaft or dam. Mkhwanazi was suspended on November 11 after an internal audit into allegations of misconduct.

President Cyril Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa said yesterday Van der Merwe’s death would deter many other witnesses from coming forward. Speaking to journalists after Cosatu’s 40th anniversary rally in Soweto, he said: “It’s not acceptable that witnesses who are unravelling things and coming out with the truth of what has been happening, the rot that has been prevalent in our security cluster, are now as they tell the truth getting killed themselves. This is going to deter many other witnesses from coming forward.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said yesterday Van der Merwe’s death would deter many other witnesses from coming forward. Speaking to journalists after Cosatu’s 40th anniversary rally in Soweto, he said: “It’s not acceptable that witnesses who are unravelling things and coming out with the truth of what has been happening, the rot that has been prevalent in our security cluster, are now as they tell the truth getting killed themselves. This is going to deter many other witnesses from coming forward.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said yesterday Van der Merwe’s death would deter many other witnesses from coming forward. Speaking to journalists after Cosatu’s 40th anniversary rally in Soweto, he said: “It’s not acceptable that witnesses who are unravelling things and coming out with the truth of what has been happening, the rot that has been prevalent in our security cluster, are now as they tell the truth getting killed themselves. This is going to deter many other witnesses from coming forward.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said yesterday Van der Merwe’s death would deter many other witnesses from coming forward. Speaking to journalists after Cosatu’s 40th anniversary rally in Soweto, he said: “It’s not acceptable that witnesses who are unravelling things and coming out with the truth of what has been happening, the rot that has been prevalent in our security cluster, are now as they tell the truth getting killed themselves. This is going to deter many other witnesses from coming forward.

Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said Van der Merwe had declined an offer of protection. “I did interact with advocate Kumalo who is responsible for the security of the commission of inquiry, the Madlanga commission as we know it, [he] did indicate to me that Mr Van der Merwe was offered protection, which he declined because he didn’t think that he needed it and because he runs his own security company.

Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said Van der Merwe had declined an offer of protection. “I did interact with advocate Kumalo who is responsible for the security of the commission of inquiry, the Madlanga commission as we know it, [he] did indicate to me that Mr Van der Merwe was offered protection, which he declined because he didn’t think that he needed it and because he runs his own security company.

Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said Van der Merwe had declined an offer of protection. “I did interact with advocate Kumalo who is responsible for the security of the commission of inquiry, the Madlanga commission as we know it, [he] did indicate to me that Mr Van der Merwe was offered protection, which he declined because he didn’t think that he needed it and because he runs his own security company.

Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said Van der Merwe had declined an offer of protection. “I did interact with advocate Kumalo who is responsible for the security of the commission of inquiry, the Madlanga commission as we know it, [he] did indicate to me that Mr Van der Merwe was offered protection, which he declined because he didn’t think that he needed it and because he runs his own security company.

Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said Van der Merwe had declined an offer of protection. “I did interact with advocate Kumalo who is responsible for the security of the commission of inquiry, the Madlanga commission as we know it, [he] did indicate to me that Mr Van der Merwe was offered protection, which he declined because he didn’t think that he needed it and because he runs his own security company.

Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said Van der Merwe had declined an offer of protection. “I did interact with advocate Kumalo who is responsible for the security of the commission of inquiry, the Madlanga commission as we know it, [he] did indicate to me that Mr Van der Merwe was offered protection, which he declined because he didn’t think that he needed it and because he runs his own security company.

“We are in agreement that there is a need for us to review how the witnesses are testifying in the Madlanga commission following this incident and also ensuring that the work is not compromised going forward.”

Yesterday afternoon residents began streaming to Van der Merwe’s home, placing flowers at the gate. Some blew kisses towards the scene, calling him a hero.

Flowers placed at the site where Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe was shot and killed on Friday night in the presence of his family outside his house in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni.

Flowers placed at the site where Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe was shot and killed on Friday night in the presence of his family outside his house in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni.

Flowers placed at the site where Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe was shot and killed on Friday night in the presence of his family outside his house in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni.

Flowers placed at the site where Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe was shot and killed on Friday night in the presence of his family outside his house in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni.

Flowers placed at the site where Marius 'Vlam' van der Merwe was shot and killed on Friday night in the presence of his family outside his house in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni.

(Thapelo Morebudi)

(Thapelo Morebudi)

Local business owner Barney Andrews said he drives through Gauld Street daily.

Local business owner Barney Andrews said he drives through Gauld Street daily.

ANC regional secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi visited the home yesterday, and said Van der Merwe’s testimony had been “damning”.

ANC regional secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi visited the home yesterday, and said Van der Merwe’s testimony had been “damning”.

ANC regional secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi visited the home yesterday, and said Van der Merwe’s testimony had been “damning”.

Ian Cameron, a DA MP who is also the chairperson of the police portfolio committee in the National Assembly, said the lives of government officials, commissioners, lawyers, and MPs taking part in the Madlanga commission and the parliamentary ad hoc committee on corruption in the criminal justice systems are now at risk.

Ian Cameron, a DA MP who is also the chairperson of the police portfolio committee in the National Assembly, said the lives of government officials, commissioners, lawyers, and MPs taking part in the Madlanga commission and the parliamentary ad hoc committee on corruption in the criminal justice systems are now at risk.

Ian Cameron, police portfolio committee chair

“Sadly the list of assassinated witnesses, whistleblowers and investigators is getting longer. There needs to be far more effective measures in place to protect those being targeted by criminals. The current legislation governing witness protection is not adequate for the sheer volume of people who now require safeguarding, and the state simply does not have the resources to cope,” he said.

Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola would brief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on the murder probe and on efforts to enhance security. She confirmed that an AK-47 was used. “Nothing was taken; his firearm, cellphone, and wallet were still on him,” she said.

Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola would brief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on the murder probe and on efforts to enhance security. She confirmed that an AK-47 was used. “Nothing was taken; his firearm, cellphone, and wallet were still on him,” she said.

Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola would brief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on the murder probe and on efforts to enhance security. She confirmed that an AK-47 was used. “Nothing was taken; his firearm, cellphone, and wallet were still on him,” she said.

Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola would brief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on the murder probe and on efforts to enhance security. She confirmed that an AK-47 was used. “Nothing was taken; his firearm, cellphone, and wallet were still on him,” she said.

Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola would brief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on the murder probe and on efforts to enhance security. She confirmed that an AK-47 was used. “Nothing was taken; his firearm, cellphone, and wallet were still on him,” she said.

Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola would brief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on the murder probe and on efforts to enhance security. She confirmed that an AK-47 was used. “Nothing was taken; his firearm, cellphone, and wallet were still on him,” she said.

The Madlanga commission issued a short statement yesterday expressing “profound sadness” at the killing and acknowledging Van der Merwe’s contribution to uncovering serious allegations of criminality in the Ekurhuleni municipality and EMPD.

The Madlanga commission issued a short statement yesterday expressing “profound sadness” at the killing and acknowledging Van der Merwe’s contribution to uncovering serious allegations of criminality in the Ekurhuleni municipality and EMPD.

The Madlanga commission issued a short statement yesterday expressing “profound sadness” at the killing and acknowledging Van der Merwe’s contribution to uncovering serious allegations of criminality in the Ekurhuleni municipality and EMPD.

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