Marius Van Der Merwe Murder Case Returns To Court As Forensic Evidence Under Scrutiny
Alleged hitman Matiphandile Sotheni is due back in the Brakpan Regional Court as investigators continue examining cellphone and forensic evidence linked to the murder of Madlanga Commission witness Marius van der Merwe.
The case against alleged hitman Matiphandile Sotheni returns to the Brakpan Regional Court on Wednesday as investigations continue into the murder of Madlanga Commission witness Marius van der Merwe.
Sotheni’s matter was postponed at his previous appearance to allow for further investigations.
He faces 16 charges, including Van der Merwe’s murder and three counts of attempted murder.
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Sotheni has denied any involvement in Van der Merwe’s killing.
The case is expected to rely heavily on forensic evidence, including cellphone data that investigators have been using to map and plot Sotheni’s movements in the days leading up to the murder.
Cellphone Data At Centre Of Investigation
At the previous court appearance, the State told the court that its tracker analysis and cellphone downloads had been completed.
The evidence is expected to form part of the State’s effort to establish Sotheni’s whereabouts and movements before the killing.
Questions, however, remain about whether developments in the separate bail proceedings of suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi could affect the case against Sotheni.
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Sotheni’s name featured prominently during Mkhwanazi’s bail application after the State read Sotheni’s affidavit into the record as part of its presentation of the case.
It remains unclear what impact, if any, the State’s concessions during those proceedings could have on the prosecution’s case against Sotheni.
Possible State Witness In Mkhwanazi Matter
Attention is also likely to remain on Juan-Maree Eksteen, who is accused six in the broader matter.
There have been questions about whether Eksteen could eventually turn State witness.
The State has alleged that Eksteen drove her late partner, Wiandre Pretorius, to a meeting before Van der Merwe was killed.
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Pretorius has been described by the State as an alleged conspirator of Sotheni.
Any decision by Eksteen to cooperate with the prosecution could have implications for the broader investigation, although no such development has been confirmed.
Van der Merwe Was Allegedly Tracked Before Killing
According to the State’s case, Van der Merwe was monitored for several days before he was gunned down in front of members of his family.
Sotheni has been linked by the prosecution to the alleged shooting, with the State accusing him of acting as the gunman.
Sotheni has disputed that version.
He has reportedly argued that, as someone capable of accurately shooting a target from a distance, he would have had no reason to carry out the killing in the drive-by manner alleged by the State.
His position remains a matter for the court to consider as the evidence is presented.
The proceedings are currently before the Brakpan Regional Court while investigations continue.
The matter is ultimately expected to be transferred to the High Court for trial once the investigation and pre-trial processes have been completed.
Sotheni remains entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until a court finds him guilty.
