There was high drama at the Brakpan Magistrates Court on Wednesday when Matiphandile Sotheni, the former Special Task Force officer accused of killing Marius van der Merwe, disrupted proceedings during his court appearance.
Van der Merwe, also known as “Witness D” in the high-profile Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, was allegedly shot dead in what authorities believe may be a targeted killing. Sotheni has since been charged with murder in connection with the incident.
Tensions rose shortly after proceedings began when Sotheni addressed the magistrate directly, calling out “Your worship” before being stopped and reminded that he could only speak through his legal representative. What followed was an unusual exchange in court.
Sotheni claimed he did not know the lawyer who stood up to represent him, insisting the man had not consulted with him or taken any instructions. “The lawyer here is the first time I see him today. He has not been given instructions by me,” Sotheni told the court.
Despite attempts by the lawyer to intervene and speak on his behalf, Sotheni continued to address the court. “I want to help the court in the interest of justice. The allegations that were levelled against me, I fully deny them. I have nothing to do with this crime,” he said before being interrupted again.
He further complained about how the case was being handled, saying, “The instructions are coming from all directions. I’m being decided upon. I have not done anything. My pictures are all over social media, my name is painted.”
Sotheni repeatedly expressed his desire to give his version of events under oath, stating he was ready to read out a statement. However, the magistrate instructed him to first consult with his legal representative, especially if he was dissatisfied with the current arrangement.
The court eventually postponed the matter to allow for proper legal consultation.
As proceedings wrapped up, Sotheni appeared visibly emotional. Dressed in a black suit and wearing glasses, he shook his head while looking back at a packed courtroom gallery before being escorted out. As police led him away to the holding cells, he shouted: “I’ve got a lot to say, I am not okay. I must take my three children to school. I’ve got a lot to do. I haven’t done this.”
According to police, Sotheni was arrested earlier this month following an intensive investigation into Van der Merwe’s killing. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has maintained that it has a strong case against him, linking him to the fatal shooting through gathered evidence. Authorities allege the murder may be connected to sensitive testimony linked to the Madlanga Commission, although further details have not yet been disclosed in court.
The case has drawn significant public attention, particularly due to the victim’s role as a key witness in an inquiry examining alleged misconduct within law enforcement.
Reaction on social media platform X was swift, with users raising questions about the courtroom developments. One user wrote: “He’s ready to sing. I suspect the person who ordered the hit tried to reach him but he did not comply, hence they sent a lawyer.”
Another commented: “If this guy tells the truth, then it is up to the courts to determine. He says he didn’t do it. He doesn’t know his lawyer. Who appointed the lawyer for him? Why didn’t the lawyer do some basic consultation?”
A third user simply asked: “Who sent the lawyer?”
The case has been postponed to 14 May as investigations continue and legal representation issues are expected to be addressed.
