Guns, grit and a murder charge: Inside ‘Witness D’s’ alleged killer Matipandile Sotheni’s world
Fact-Check Results
“Matipandile Sotheni appeared in court between 2013 and 2014 over a dispute about backdated payment of a scarce skills allowance.”
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INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to confirm or refute court appearances between 2013-2014
“Sotheni argued he was entitled to the allowance from the moment he joined the Special Task Force in 2010.”
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INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to verify entitlement claims from 2010
“The police insisted the allowance became payable only after completing the qualification process and receiving an operator’s badge in 2012.”
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INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to confirm SAPS' position on allowance eligibility
“An arbitrator initially ruled in Sotheni’s favour, awarding R150,000 in back pay.”
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INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to verify arbitrator's award decision
“The labour court found no unfair labour practice and overturned the arbitrator’s decision.”
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INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to confirm labour court's ruling
“Sotheni made his second court appearance on 25 March 2026 facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and attempted murder.”
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INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to verify 2026 court appearance
“Marius van der Merwe was murdered on 5 December 2025 outside his Brakpan home in full view of his family.”
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INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to confirm murder details
“Sotheni addressed the court during his bail application, claiming he was arrested for an uncommitted crime.”
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INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to verify bail hearing claims
“Sotheni was employed as a bodyguard by Mohammadh Sayed from 2019 until October 2024, then dismissed for insubordination.”
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INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to confirm employment history
“Van der Merwe testified about torture and interrogation by Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officers and private security.”
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INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
— No evidence in archive to verify testimony claims
“Van der Merwe implicated Julius Mkhwanazi as being involved in giving Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala access to the EMPD.”
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PENDING
“Sotheni is believed to have worked with Wiandre Pretorius, a police informant linked to the Madlanga Commission, who died by suicide in 2025.”
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PENDING
“Sotheni was found in possession of 125 rounds of R5 rifle ammunition, 31 rounds of R1 rifle ammunition, and 19 rounds of 9mm Parabellum pistol ammunition without a permit.”
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PENDING
“The Suzuki Swift used in the crime was traced to Sotheni’s girlfriend.”
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PENDING
“Sotheni did not personally know Van der Merwe but allegedly procured an AK-47 for the murder.”
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PENDING
“Police investigations indicate the plan to eliminate Van der Merwe began after his testimony, with surveillance dating back to late November 2025.”
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PENDING