Pretoria: The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) convened with officials from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Saturday to address the safety concerns following the killing of Marius van der Merwe. Van der Merwe, who was fatally shot on Friday, December 5, had recently testified as Witness D before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.

According to South African Government News Agency, the meeting in Pretoria included representatives from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Discussions focused on the security and protection of witnesses and officials involved in the Commission. The assembly resolved to bolster the Commission’s security operational plan over the following two days.

NATJOINTS emphasized that although comprehensive security measures have been in place since the Commission’s inception, the recent incident necessitated an upgrade in these measures through collaboration with relevant parties. As investigations into Van der Merwe’s murder continue, NATJOINTS urged the public to refrain from speculation, stating that the media would receive updates in due course.

Van der Merwe was attacked in front of his family outside their home in Brakpan. He was a member of the security industry in Brakpan and had previously served as an official with the Ekhurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.